Foods that Wear down Tooth Enamel

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, but that doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. Once worn down, enamel does not regenerate. Being aware of which foods dissolve and weaken tooth enamel will help you protect this vital piece of your dental health.

Enamel serves as your tooth’s first and foremost line of defense against decay and dental sensitivity. The hard, mineralized surface protects the nerves, dentin, and pulp below. Because enamel isn’t made up of living cells, your body cannot repair it if it becomes damaged.

Many believe that sugar is the worst substance for tooth enamel, and while sugar poses the risk of tooth decay, corrosive acidic foods and beverages actually present an equally serious threat. Some of the worst culprits include:

• Soda and other carbonated beverages: Soda doesn’t just contain sugar--even diet soda and other carbonated drinks contain phosphoric acid that dissolves enamel. Citrus sodas have the added offense of containing citric acid, which also can erode enamel.
• Acidic foods. Citrus fruits, vinegar-based foods such as pickles, tomatoes, sour candies, and fruit juices all upset the balance in your mouth by adding acid that erodes enamel.  
• Hard candies. The sugar in hard candies tends to sit in the mouth too long. This prolonged contact with the enamel leads to bacterial growth. But don’t assume that hard candy is ok if you eat it quickly: biting on hard substances such as lollipops, lozenges, and ice can lead to chipped, cracked, and broken enamel.
• Sticky foods. Dried fruit and other sticky foods result in particles getting stuck on and in between teeth, causing bacteria to grow and leading to decay.  
• Foods and drinks that cause dry mouth. Alcohol, salty snacks, and coffee all have a dehydrating effect that leads to bacterial overgrowth. Keep your mouth balanced by staying hydrated with water, and rinsing your mouth out after eating or drinking.

It’s impractical for most people to avoid all acidic foods and drinks all the time. To minimize their negative impacts on enamel, try to incorporate them as part of a meal instead of as a stand-alone snack or drink. Rinse your mouth out after eating or drinking sugary and acidic items. Brush teeth with a soft brush and enamel-protecting toothpaste. Brushing hard or with an abrasive substance only weakens enamel further.  

Allen Dental, located in West Salem, Wisconsin, provides general dentistry, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and teeth whitening for the whole family in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. To learn more, please visit our website or call (608) 786-3303. See our 100% positive patient reviews on rateabiz.com! At Allen Dental, we believe everyone deserves to “smile with confidence.”

Tooth Talk and Resolutions!

For many, a new year’s resolution is to focus on a healthier lifestyle and make diet and exercise a top priority. For others, spending more quality time with family and friends is something they want to focus on at the start of the New Year. Even doing a better job at balancing a budget is a resolution that several choose to take on. But one New Year’s resolution that isn’t made enough of a priority is the health of your teeth. It’s still early enough in 2017 to make your oral health a priority, and consider having the fillings in your teeth examined and replaced.

Your friends and experts at Allen Dental recommend you pay more attention to your teeth and gums in 2017. In order for you to be as educated as possible about your teeth and their fillings, it’s important to get a quick lesson in amalgam, it’s potential risks, and safe alternatives for you to consider.

Amalgam consists of silver, mercury, tin, and copper. If you read the word “mercury” and started to panic about it’s presence in amalgam, let us give you some insight as to why you may want to consider a different source for a dental filling. Amalgam can be viewed as controversial because there is ongoing debate on how much mercury fillings released and how much the body absorbs from the fillings. Historically, amalgam fillings were thought to be chemically inactive, and that mercury could not be released in the human body once the filling was in the tooth. However, in recent years, updated data and testing has shown that very small amounts of mercury can be released in the form of vapor if the tooth filling wears down over time. Expecting mothers should practice caution and avoid unnecessary dental work. During pregnancy women should  not receive amalgam fillings as mercury can penetrate the protective linings on the womb. 

Luckily, there are plenty of safe alternatives to amalgam that you can consider on your next tooth filling like composite resin, glass ionomer, porcelain, and gold. Of these options, composite fillings are the most popular—this is due to the fact that they are white in color, meaning the filling matches the tooth more effectively. This is also considered a cost-friendly option.

Trust Allen Dental in the New Year to give you the dental fillings that work best for you and your health—we’d be happy to help you keep that resolution! Visit allendental.net or call 608-786-3303 for more information about our services and to schedule your next appointment!

Get a New Smile in One Day with Allen Dental

Visiting the dentist can feel overwhelming, especially if you are in need of an oral procedure. At Allen Dental, we try to make going to the dentist as easy as possible for the whole family. If you’re a new patient, know that Allen Dental offers convenient scheduling for the whole family. Not only does this mean same day appointments but appointments for the whole family all within a 2-hour time frame.

Imagine getting crowns, bridges and implants done all in the same visit. It’s possible at Allen Dental! We offer the convenience, technology and professional expertise to repair your smile in just one day with same-day crowns, bridges and dental implants. No temporaries and no extra appointments – just one visit to Dr. Allen, West Salem’s leading dentist, and you’ll be on your way with a new smile.

If you have a missing, cracked or chipped tooth, here is why crowns, bridges or dental implants might be right for you:

What is a crown?

A crown is used to cover a damaged tooth. It is also a great way to improve appearance, shape or alignment of a smile. Crowns can be made in porcelain or ceramic crowns to match your natural teeth.

What is a bridge?

A bridge is the ideal option if you’re missing one or more teeth. Bridges are cemented to natural teeth to “bridge” the gap between missing teeth. False teeth can also be bonded to the bridge.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. A dental implant will not come loose like a denture can because it is anchored into your jaw. The great part about a dental implant is that if you lost a tooth, you can restore the look, feel and function of a natural tooth.

In need of crowns, bridges or implants? Call Allen Dental today at 608-786-3303 to schedule your FREE consultation! If you’re a new patient, give us a call and let our friendly team set up a same-day appointment for you and your whole family. We’ll fix your teeth and get you on your way in no time.