Young woman eating fruits from glass onAttempting to keep your smile happy and healthy is a lifelong process. After all, there are countless threats to your oral health out there, and only a well-rounded preventive dental routine will help keep harmful bacteria at bay to prolong the lifespan of your smile. While dental decay and infection are among the most common issues, there still exists many other sources of damage, including some of the foods and beverages you consume. In today’s blog, your Cedar Rapids, IA Iowa dentist will take a look at the way your diet influences your oral health, and steps that you can take to ensure its strength.

Sports Drinks Weaken Teeth

For quite some time, sports drinks have been a staple of many children’s sports games. Many individuals talk about the benefits of these beverages, such as how they contain more electrolytes than water to help keep you hydrated.

In addition to the extra electrolytes however, many sports drinks contain an unnecessary amount of sugar and sodium, which inevitably causes decay and other concerns to develop when it comes to your oral smile.

What’s more? Many sports drinks contain pigments that stain your teeth, as well as high levels of acidity. This acidity weakens your healthy layer of enamel, which is your smile’s primary defense against oral bacteria and other concerns. Not only this, but the destructive ingredients in sports drinks can actively break down your tooth’s natural structure, causing them to become weak and become more susceptible to infection. To learn more about this process, contact our team today.

Beware of Too Much Citrus

While many individuals enjoy the benefits and delicious taste of fruits, certain citrus items such as oranges or lemonade actually contain a high level of acidity. Just like with sports drinks, these acids actively weaken your protective layer of enamel, and once it’s gone it’s gone for good.

In order to mitigate these issues, our office recommends monitoring your citrus consumption and enjoy these foods in moderation. If you have any questions about this process, reach out to our team today.

Stay Hydrated!

From a young age, we learn about the importance of brushing and flossing to keep cavities and other concerns away. What’s more? Your dentist and doctors emphasize the importance of drinking plenty of water and keeping yourself hydrated and healthy. Aside from that, however, water also serves many important roles when it comes to your oral health.

Indeed, tap water contains fluoride, which is a naturally occurring mineral that works together with your enamel to strengthen your protection from bacteria and other concerns. Additionally, water is zero calories and functions to keep your mouth clean and strong. To learn more about this process, reach out to our team today.

Learn More Today

Contact Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA by calling 319-364-7108 to schedule your next appointment with our team or learn more about prevention today.