Sure it’s cute and fun to get and give chocolates and other sweets on Valentine’s Day but we dentists cringe at the amount of sugar that comes in contact with our patients’ teeth during any holiday.
What Does Sugar Do to Teeth?
Sugar is a favorite food of the bacteria that live in your mouth. When you eat sugary foods, the sugar mixes with your saliva and the bacteria and forms a sticky paste called plaque. The plaque builds up on your teeth, giving the bacteria easy access to the enamel that protects your teeth.
As the bacteria wears away at the enamel, it creates small holes, called cavities, and sometimes even tooth infections and decay. Keep that in mind when you eat those chocolates from your significant other!
Protect Your Teeth!
Carroll Dental Care is here to help our patients in Crestwood and Louisville, KY, keep their teeth healthy and prevent tooth decay. We offer general dentistry visits that include teeth cleanings, dental exams, and fluoride treatments.
You can also do a few things at home to protect your teeth from tooth decay:
- Avoid sugary foods like candy, soda, and desserts.
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Visit our office every six months for a professional cleaning and checkup.
- Brush your teeth after eating high-carb meals so you can get those sugars off your teeth.
The Truth About Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is no joke. Because your teeth are so important to your daily life, when just one of them isn’t functioning properly, it can make life miserable. What starts as mild but persistent pain could evolve into a serious tooth infection that spreads throughout your whole mouth causing tooth loss and other problems.
If you’re experiencing persistent tooth pain, swelling, or sensitivity in a tooth, call us immediately!
Resist the Chocolate Craving!
It might be tempting right now to indulge in sugary sweets, but if you can resist, your teeth will thank you. For more information or to schedule a dental cleaning, call Carroll Dental Care today!