Do You NEED Repeated Fillings…Year After Year?
I regularly encounter patients with chronic dental decay. Sure, some of this can be accounted for by dentistry, but that is less than ideal. However, frequently, the number one factor is diet.
So, let’s talk about cheating around diet and enhancing your dental stability.
First, a little background…
The bacteria that form dental plaque feed on carbohydrates – starchy carbohydrates (like bread, biscuits, cake and potatoes) and sweet carbohydrates (like sugar, honey and, to a significant degree, fruit). To make energy, these bacteria take carbohydrates and convert them into acids. The bacteria excrete the acids, and it is these acids that dissolve (decay) your teeth.
THREE KEY factors in controlling decay:
1. Frequency of consumption. The more frequently you consume carbohydrates, the more you feed these bacteria, the stronger they get and the more acid they produce. Avoid carbohydrates between main meals and consider chewing sugar-free, remineralising chewing gum. If you choose to snack, what are the alternatives? Avocado, tuna (any meat), cheese, nuts.
If you choose to consume carbohydrates, consume them at a main meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) and consider either brushing your teeth afterwards and/or chewing sugar-free gum.
There is no recommended minimum daily dietary requirement for carbohydrates (unlike fats and protein), and modern fruits are so sweet they are closer to confectionery than fruit.
2. Don’t graze on carbohydrates. No amount of tooth cleaning will overcome this! Just like weight loss, which is about 80% diet and 20% (effective) exercise, control of dental decay is 80% diet and 20% (effective) teeth cleaning.
3. Five safe drinks. The most common cause of rampant decay is what you drink. The five safe drinks are: plain, still, unflavoured water, any type of tea or coffee (no sugar or syrup), beer and wine. Any other drink, including juices, kombucha, and diet/no sugar drinks (fizzy or still) are dissolving your teeth.
Belledental’s holistic approach to dental health incorporates common sense recommendations and effective ways to cheat – creating dental stability, a healthy smile and teeth for life. Visit www.belledental.com.au.
