How does our diet influence our dental problems
There are 4 main factors that are responsible for causing decays of tooth.
These 4 factors have to be balanced in order to maintain our oral health
Let us talk in detail about the second substrate, Diet
Basically what happens when you take food items is the first important point. When we take any kind of food item, The pH of your oral cavity reduces.
This reduced pH is acidic in nature and the acidic pH is responsible for demineralisation of the tooth surface.
Any kind of diet, especially complex carbohydrates can be much more dangerous.
Acidogenic theory- Proposed by Miller.
This theory suggests that the diet consumed in form of carbohydrates can make your teeth more prone to decay because, the microorganisms present in the oral cavity break down carbohydrates into acids that demineralize your tooth structure.
This destroys tooth structure in 2 stages
1. Demineralization: Acids dissolve the mineral components of enamel
2. Decay: Continued acid attack leads to progression of decay
Carbohydrates can be in 2 forms
- Sugary, Liquid diet
-Sticky sugary solid diet
Sugary liquid diet includes: Dairy products like milk , juices like orange or lemon
Sticky sugary solids: Toffees, chocolates etc.
Most cariogenic are solid sugary diets than liquidy, sugary diet. But having a consciousness prior to intake of food items like this are more important in maintaining the oral hygiene of the patient.
How to avoid:
*In case of sugar replacing your complex carbohydrate diets with certain sugar substitutes- artificial sweetners. They are commonly obtained from plant extracts and can replace your complex sugars in your diet.
*After intake of food, we have to make sure that our oral cavity is meticulously cleaned after intake of sticky foods
Make sue you consult your dentist in case of doubts.