Sugar And Your Teeth: Myths And Reality

It is a well-known fact that sugar is not good for your teeth, but there are many myths that are not reliable. If you continue to consume more sugar, you might end up getting full-mouth reconstruction. Do you want to know the myths and realities associated with sugar and your teeth? If yes, keep reading to satisfy your intellect. 

Myths And Realities of Sugar And your Teeth

Your teeth love sugar-free drinks

It is a common notion that sugary drinks are damaging to teeth. We do not deny the fact. But people also think that a sugar-free version of these drinks is fine. Do you really think that you can have as many sugar-free cokes and lemon drinks as you want without having any damaging effect of them on your teeth? Well, it is a myth. Many researchers have found out the damaging effects of coke and diet coke on the teeth of individuals. You may be surprised to know about one such finding. After 14 days of consuming a diet version of coke, it was found that the diet version had done slightly more damage to the tooth enamel as compared to the standard version. 

Most sugar-free drinks have phosphoric acid content and citric acid content. These acids are harmful to your teeth, and you can end up getting tooth decay or gum problems. Out of all the drinks, water is the best drink that doesn’t do any damage to your teeth. Experts advise that tea and coffee are, although staining but tooth-friendly. And milk is also considered a tooth-safe drink.                                                                                                                                      

A small dose is better than the big one

What do you think is worse of the two of these scenarios? One huge pudding of cake draped in sugar you can consume in one go or a packet of candies that you can consume throughout the afternoon? You might think that consuming toffees or candies one by one is less damaging, but you can’t be more wrong. Continuously munching on sugary treats can have more damaging effects on your teeth than eating one large pudding. 

Whenever you eat sugary food, your mouth forms acid due to the plaque that weakens your tooth enamel. Slowly consuming sweets or sugary food allows these attacks to happen more. Dentists say that if you sip all day, you are risking tooth decay. Thus, think wisely before consuming the sugary treats in small chunks. 

It is important to cut down on all sugar

You believe that sugar is bad for your oral hygiene. So, it is best to eliminate sugar and enjoy great dental health. But there is a little problem with your logic. You should follow a holistic approach to your diet and health. 

Experts recommend cutting down on refined sugars but not on natural sugars like fructose and lactose, which you get from fruits and dairy. Consuming food items with natural sugars help stabilize your blood sugar level and thereby is beneficial for your overall well-being. 

Brushing your teeth immediately after consuming sugar

You should brush immediately after consuming sugary food items. But it is also dependent on the type of sugar you are consuming. If you are taking refined sugar like biscuits, brushing after it is good. 

But if you are brushing it after having orange juice, it is not advisable as it pairs with acid and sugar. Consuming something acidic changes the pH level of the mouth. And brushing immediately after juice or meal increases the chances of damaging your tooth enamel. Thus, you should wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth. 

The most damaging thing for your teeth is sugar

You cannot deny the fact that sugar is damaging for your teeth in the long run. And its excessive consumption leads to dental problems. Therefore, cut down on refined sugars as much as possible and follow thorough oral hygiene.

Regular dental checkups are also advisable. It will help catch any oral issue in its early stage. 

To sum it up

It is important to be mindful of the above myths and realities and stick to good oral hygiene to steer clear of the problems. You should also not neglect the power of routine dental checkups. 

Valley Creek Dental Care thrives to offer comprehensive and preventive dental care to make you feel healthy and comfortable. You can search “dental implants near me” to know about our services dental implants if you are experiencing missing teeth. We also offer Invisalign, cosmetic dentistry, wisdom teeth, and many more. Our unmatched professionalism is aligned with the most up-to-date technology of digital dentistry to get you the desired results. We ensure to offer a welcoming environment so that a patient should feel relaxed under our care. Our affordable and long-term solutions make our patients trust us more. You need not worry about any financial barriers as we strive to break down any financial barriers to treatment. Feel free to contact us for more information. 

Few Questions That You Need To Ask Your Dentist

Oral health is the window to overall well-being. Many people still do not have accurate information about oral health. But it is very important to keep yourself updated with the correct information about your oral hygiene. And dentists McKinney tx believes that keeping your teeth healthy improves not only your well-being but also your smile. After all, you don’t want your smile to become dull or your teeth to become painful, right?

So, to avoid it, you need to ask a few questions about your dentist. The answer to these questions will ensure your best oral health. Your dentist will suggest suitable measures if you are suffering from any oral issues. 

Let’s see the questions about your oral health that you need to ask your dentist. 

Question: Why do I feel sensitivity in my teeth?

Answer: If you feel that your teeth are sensitive, ask your dentist the reason for it. Tooth sensitivity may indicate a serious oral health issue. Sensitivity is more likely to be seen in adults aged between 20-40 years of age. It can happen due to various reasons. Some of them are – 

• Abrasion in toothbrush – No wonder brushing teeth is an important daily activity but brushing too hard, and too much can damage the outer layer of your teeth. It could be the reason for tooth sensitivity. 

• Receding gums – Your gums recede as you age, and a receding gum line could be the reason for tooth sensitivity. 

• Acid erosion – You should pay attention to the food you are eating as it impacts your teeth. Food items that are high in acid can harm your tooth enamel, leading to sensitivity and pain in teeth. 

• Grinding at night – Many individuals have the habit of grinding their teeth. Teeth grinding can remove the protective coating of your teeth and hence can cause sensitivity. 

So, if you are facing tooth sensitivity, bring it to the concern of your dentist and let him suggest some useful measures like new toothpaste changing the brushing style, to name a few. 

Question: Which areas do I miss while brushing my teeth?

Answer: As per the dental experts, it is advisable to brush your teeth for 2-3 minutes twice a day. Even with this rule, some spots in your mouth still get missed. And frequently missing these spots can result in teeth deterioration. So ask your oral health expert the areas you should focus on while brushing. 

Many people brush the outer teeth thoroughly but do not brush the inside of the teeth properly. Keep in mind that the inside of the teeth are more prone to acids and saliva from the foods that you eat. Thus, keeping your mouth clean will surely make a difference to your smile. 

Question: Do I have to use a different toothbrush?

Answer: The selection of toothbrushes varies as per the individual dental needs. Different styles of toothbrushes include – 

• Electric

• Soft bristles

• Round

• Firm bristles

Sometimes you need a different toothbrush from the one that you use for daily brushing. For instance – If you are the one with braces, you may need to use a round-tipped toothbrush to reach the nook and corner of your teeth. It is an important choice to make to select the right toothbrush that makes all the difference in your oral health. 

Question: How frequently do I need to get professional cleaning?

Answer: The recommended time between professional cleaning is every six months to 12 months. But your dentist may differ according to your dental health. For some patients, your dentist may suggest frequent teeth cleanings. It could be due to – 

• If you have existing problems in oral health. 

• If you wear braces.

• If you have tooth sensitivity. 

Your dentist brush, floss and treat your teeth with fluoride in professional cleaning. It will help remove the tartar and other hard material from your teeth. 

Question: What is the reason for gum bleeding when I brush my teeth?

Answer: There are many reasons for gum bleeding. But if you notice gum bleeding while brushing your teeth, you may need to bring it to the notice of your dentist. 

Other reasons for gum bleeding are -

• Plaque buildup

• Overbrushing

• Inflammation

• Underbrushing

Brush and floss regularly to reduce the risk of bleeding. If still, it continues, question your dentist for the appropriate treatment measures. 

To sum it up!

Your dentist can make you sail smoothly through all the dental problems if any. But for that, you need to ask him the right questions as mentioned above. Valley Creek Dental Care answers all your queries regarding any dental concern, whether it is all on four implants, wisdom teeth, veneers, Invisalign, to name a few. Our dedicated dental team helps maintain your oral health for many years to come. We follow the latest dental techniques to give you the best results. Our long-term solutions will definitely make you come back for more. Get in touch with us for more information. 

Top Foods That Can Damage Your Teeth

Anyone, regardless of age, can get tooth decay. Plaque-containing bacteria that feed on the sweets in your diet promote tooth decay, which leads to cavities. Cavities form when bacteria consume sugar and convert it to acid, which destroys the enamel on your teeth. It will cause sensitivity in your teeth, necessitating a visit to the dentist. You may locate the top emergency dental care Mckinney TX, by looking for Valley Creek Dental Care.

Sugary meals are harmful to your teeth since they lead to plaque and tooth damage. In this, we'll talk about the foods you should avoid or restrict to maintain your teeth as healthy as possible.

Which Foods Concerned You Should About The Most?

Foods that are sticky and sweet are harmful to your teeth in general. When meals are sticky, they adhere to your teeth for longer, giving germs more opportunities to harm your teeth. Acidic meals are also a bad idea since the acid can destroy tooth enamel.

Sugary and acidic foods and drinks (such as soda) can cause twice the damage to your teeth. You'll require a full mouth reconstruction if you eat the things mentioned below.

Although the foods listed below are not intrinsically unhealthy, experts advise brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth after consuming them to avoid cavities.

1. Take Care While Eating The Popcorn 

Popcorn is a healthy snack option for chips, but it can be very damaging to your teeth for various reasons. When we munch popcorn while watching a long movie, microorganisms have an additional opportunity to damage our teeth. Furthermore, it's practically impossible to chew popcorn without getting it stuck between your teeth. Have a toothpick, some water, or some quality floss on hand when you've finished eating. Your teeth will chip off if you bite down on one of those complex, unpopped kernels. Take additional precautions if you eat popcorn by the handful.

2. Carbohydrates That Is Refined

Refined carbs, such as white bread, crackers, chips, and french fries, are popular among children's meals. All of them are simple carbohydrates that degrade into sugars when consumed. These sugars ferment and form lactic acid when they touch microorganisms in the mouth, eroding tooth enamel fast.

3. Take Care While Eating The Dry Fruits

Raisins, dried apricots, and fruit roll-ups are considered healthy, nutritious snacks healthier for teeth than sweets. However, because of the drying process, the sugars in these fruits are incredibly concentrated. Furthermore, because of their chewy nature, they are more likely to adhere to teeth, allowing germs more opportunity to inflict harm.

4. Drinking Of Non-Alcoholic Beverages

The acid will be present in all soft drinks, whether or not they include sugar. It can harm your teeth, resulting in more cavities and tooth erosion. If you want to keep your teeth healthy:

1. Avoid soft drinks.

2. Stick to unsweetened tea or water as an alternative.

3. If you absolutely must consume a fizzy drink, wait a few minutes before brushing your teeth since the acid damages your tooth enamel and leaves it more susceptible to abrasion.

5. Clean Your Teeth After Eating The Pickles

Pickled foods are produced with vinegar, essential to the pickling process. This acid has the potential to degrade and discolor tooth enamel. Many pickled foods include sugar, which contributes to the formation of cavities.

6. Drinks Like Wine

Erosive acid is found in white and red wine, damaging the enamel. Tannins are a chemical present in red wine that causes your mouth to dry up and your teeth to discolor. If you're going to consume wine, brush your teeth before reducing the amount of plaque that the wine can attach to. Wait 30 minutes after drinking wine before brushing your teeth to avoid touching the wine into your teeth.

7. Eating Large Quantity Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits could be a healthy supplement to almost any diet. Even yet, the citric acid in the fruit, when ingested in significant numbers, can erode your tooth enamel, leaving your teeth vulnerable to cavities. Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and grapefruit are pretty acidic. Use a straw while drinking juices to enable some acid to pass past your teeth.

8.Tomatoes in Pasta Sauce 

Tomatoes are abundant in vitamins but also strong in acidity. Because the acid in the sauce erodes your teeth and the carbs in the pasta help feed germs and bacteria cavities, eating pasta with red sauce can inflict double the harm to your enamel.

9. Try To Avoid Hard Candies 

As you wait for hard candies to melt, they stay in your tongue for a long time. Some hard sweets might take up to 10 minutes to melt, and there are no health advantages to consuming candy. Because the sugary dessert spends so much time in your mouth, bacteria have plenty of opportunities to inflict significant harm. Hard candy may also break your teeth and create wounds on the inside of your mouth.

To summarize!

A smile is vital, and it is regrettable when we have dental problems. As a result, consuming healthy foods is essential, as is seeing the dentist regularly. So visit Valley Creek Dental Care's website for more information on dental health and treatment options.

How To Keep Your Child’s Dental Hygiene In Check?

Healthy teeth are the window to your child's overall well-being. It is very important for eating and talking. Proper dental hygiene makes your children form good dental habits as they grow. On the other hand, poor dental hygiene can result in infection, tooth decay, or other dental problems. Valley Creek Dental Care gives dental services like invisalign TX and cosmetic dentistry not only to the adults but also focuses on pediatric dentistry when it comes to the child's oral hygiene. Some points that can be helpful in making dental hygiene a fun routine for children are -

• Give a chance to your children to select their own toothbrushes. They can choose according to their favorite cartoon character, color, and whatever they like.

• Make them watch videos that teach good oral care habits.

• Ensure that kids brush for at least 2 minutes. You can use a timer or play their favorite song to keep track of the time.

• If your children are following good dental hygiene, do not forget to reward them. Remember to not give them sugary treats but offer healthy food like fruits.

Now, let's understand the ways to keep the oral health of your child in check.

 The Important Role of Fluoride - Fluoride is an important element for the dental health of your child. It helps reduce cavities in primary and permanent teeth and strengthens the tooth enamel. Drinking water contains fluoride. Bottled water does not contain fluoride, and therefore you should not use it. If the water you are using does not have enough fluoride content, consider giving your child fluoride supplements after consulting the doctor. The dentist will perform the fluoride varnish on their teeth. 

Furthermore, excess amounts of fluoride can cause tooth stains and may even be harmful to their health. Ensure your child is taught not to swallow toothpaste or mouthwash. 

Brushing and Flossing - Teaching oral hygiene should begin when your child is a baby. Make your kids use a soft child-size toothbrush once they are 1 or 2. Wash their teeth with water twice a day. Most kids have the habit of swallowing toothpaste. Thus, make them use fluoride-free toothpaste, which is safer to use. You can teach them to use fluoride toothpaste once they are old enough to spit out the toothpaste. You can also consult the dentist to show your children the right way to brush their teeth. Once your children reach the age of 7-8, they can opt for a larger-sized toothbrush. Ensure to change their brush every 3-6 months.  

Flossing also forms a vital part of children's dental hygiene. Teach them the technique of flossing and tell them to floss at least once a day. Brushing the tongue is also important for them as it keeps the bacteria in the mouth at bay. 

Diet - Kids love to eat toffees and chocolates, which puts them at high risk of cavities. Teach them not to have soda, sugary foods, or sweetened drinks. Whenever your children consume sugary food items, ensure they brush their teeth once they are done with eating. 

THE JOURNEY FROM BABY TEETH TO ADULT TEETH

Generally, baby teeth start appearing when the children are between 4 to 7 months old. Most babies get all the 20 baby teeth by three years of age. 

 Children start losing their primary or baby teeth once they are 5 or 6 years old up to 12 years of age. They start getting adult teeth. It is the time when you should take your children to the dentist, and he can rightly tell about the teeth problems to your child. 

THINGS TO CONSIDER

 It is not new that babies have the habit of sucking their fingers and thumbs. They give up this habit till they reach the age of four. But if they have yet not stopped sucking a pacifier or their thumb, you might need to look for a dentist as it can cause problems with teeth alignment in children. You need not worry about this habit as it can go up to the age of 6 when the permanent front teeth start coming. 

 WHEN TO SEE A DENTIST?

 Experts advise taking your children to the dentist once they are about to get 1. It allows the dentist to determine the early dental problems in your child. Starting visiting the dentist at an early age makes them feel more comfortable. 

ADDITIONALLY, NOT ONLY CHILDREN BUT EVERYONE SHOULD VISIT A DENTIST TWICE A YEAR.

 Valley Creek Dental Care rightly understands the importance of dental hygiene and thus provides services like all on 4 implants, pediatric dentistry, wisdom teeth, implants, sedation dentistry, and many more. We treat each patient with utmost care so that they can feel at ease. Our comprehensive and preventive dental care uses advanced digital dentistry technology to achieve the desired results. We want you and your children to create a lifetime of happy smiles with healthy teeth. So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us for more information, and let your smile spread happiness around the world. 

Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need Your Attention?

Dental care often gets sidelined under the umbrella of overall health. But, the health of our teeth directly influences other parts of our body. We always forget how we use the mouth for eating, not to mention the often-overlooked fact that the mouth is not a separate entity but a part of our body. Ignoring daily oral health problems makes matters worse in the long run. However, people are becoming more conscious about oral hygiene with the pandemic, which is a major throwback in dental care. 

Many dental procedures are now quickly done with improved technology than 20 years ago. However, as per the colorado school of public health, dental care is not easily accessible because of affordability issues. Though technology has made dentistry advanced, the cost associated with advancement is not feasible to all. Without much debate about the cost of dental care, McKinney TX dentist provides you with the most common dental issue, which affects many people every year, causing complications such as tooth decay, cavities, bone loss, and infections.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are known to describe a person's intellectual ability, though, without any scientific proof. Scientifically, wisdom teeth are the third molars and last set of teeth to surface from 17- to 21 years. As per anthropologists, wisdom teeth were of great help to our ancestors in chewing and biting raw meat and fibrous roots. However, with evolution, they do not offer much support now. But, there are almost 5 million cases related to wisdom teeth every year. Let's see why wisdom teeth removal becomes necessary.

WHEN DOES WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL BECOME NECESSARY?

Wisdom teeth are not as polite as the name sounds. During the development phase, they often cause complexities when there isn't enough space, causing harm to nearby molars. In some cases, wisdom teeth may find enough space to emerge and may not require professional help. But, if you experience these symptoms, you need medical help:

• Swelling in gums

• Bleeding in gums

• Pain in Jaw

• Swelling in jaw

• Difficulty in opening your mouth

• Frequent foul smell

Ignoring these early signs poses a risk of persistent infections due to overcrowding in the area. They may even develop into cysts resulting in a tumor causing harm to other overall health of your mouth.

HOW ARE WISDOM TEETH REMOVED ?

Removing a wisdom tooth may not be necessary if enough space is available for wisdom teeth to erupt. So, first, your doctor will examine and, after the x-ray report, will decide the magnitude of impact keeping the wisdom tooth will cause. If the effect isn't much, you do not need surgery, but otherwise, you may need to go through one.

Removal Procedure

The removal procedure is simple, and you need not worry because your doctor will keep your health at the topmost priority. The doctor may also provide you with a list of precautions before the surgery, like which food items you can consume, brushing, flossing, etc. The oral surgeon will administer anesthesia to remove the tissue and then partially or wholly remove the tooth for the removal process. The surgery, no doubt, is a simple procedure but poses some potential risks like nerve irritation, sinus, infection, etc. thus, proper post-surgery care is required to heal properly.

WHY IS WISDOM TEETH REMOVAL IMPORTANT ?

As said earlier, removal is not always necessary; the magnitude of impact decides if surgery is required. Because in some cases, even antibiotics can help ease the pain. Removing them saves you from future discomfort of tooth decay, bone loss, periodontal disease, etc. If wisdom teeth pose some potential risks, you must remove them as early as possible before roots get more condensed.

HOW TO CARE AFTER THE SURGERY ?

This surgery involves stitches that may or may not be dissolvable. Usually, doctors use dissolvable stitches, which take around 7-10 days to dissolve completely. After the surgery, you need to follow the instructions your doctor advises you. These are a few simple tips you can add:

• Avoid rinsing too vigorously

• Avoid using a brush with stiff bristles

• Avoid consuming alcohol-based products

• Avoid smoking

• Avoid eating hard substances like nuts

While these sound like general tips, they must be strictly adhered to for healing completely. Healing may take a while, depending on the extraction process. In general, you can expect minor swelling and bleeding in the mouth for the first few days, along with the pain. Your dentist will instruct you regarding pain-relieving medicines, food, and drinks to avoid opening up stitches and irritation.

Key Takeaway

Wisdom tooth extraction is a general procedure with some post-removal instructions. Let your teeth heal, and you're all set to smile again. Healthy teeth give you a pleasing smile, and for your and your family's smile, we at McKinney will care for your teeth.

At McKinney, we offer services for your whole family in the most comfortable, stress-free, and effective way. We welcome our patients with a smile because there is already enough stress on their teeth and mind. From many services that we offer, some are- all on four implants, Teeth whitening, Invisalign, Cosmetic dentistry, Pediatric dentistry, Sedation dentistry, Endodontic treatment, etc. 

Conclusion

Dental care is as important as the overall well-being of a person. It is best not to ignore your oral health. For more information on teeth and gum health, visit our website.