We love being spoiled with beautiful flowers from our wonderful patients! These lovely blooms remind us that spring is almost here… which means its time for Spring Cleaning! Don’t forget about your smile as you get ready for spring. Call us today to schedule a spring cleaning for your teeth!
Oranges have essential vitamin contents, antioxidants, protein, water percentage, and fiber. These are necessary minerals that help in keep the nutrients in your body balanced. With flu season being in full swing, it is important to drink lots of orange juice. However, it is important to protect your oral health as well.
Here are a couple tips to keep your enamel healthy:
♥ Never EVER suck on lemons or limes! This is a surefire way to soften the enamel on your teeth.
♥ Use a straw when drinking fruit juices (Good tip when drinking coffee and tea: a straw keeps the stains away!)
♥ Rinse your mouth with water after eating fruit to dilute the acids in your mouth. Do not brush for at least 30 minutes. This gives time for your enamel to resettle.
♥ Keep your enamel strong by brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and don’t forget to ask for a fluoride treatment at your next dental cleaning appointment.
What Is Dental Erosion?
As hard and tough as tooth enamel is, highly acidic fruits, fruit juices, carbonated beverages and even reflux cause the break down of enamel and prohibit the remineralization process. Once this breakdown begins to occur, your teeth become more susceptible to discoloration, sensitivity (to cold and hot temperatures, sweet foods etc) which eventually leads to decay. Decay leads to cavities and dental problems. According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), the calcium in saliva can help strengthen enamel, but when the environment in your mouth is too acidic, remineralization of your enamel will not occur.
The Importance of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a key player in your overall health and well being. It helps repair, strengthen and maintain many of your tissue structures. This includes your bones, cartilage and teeth. In fact, according to The Journal of the American Dental Association, Vitamin C deficiency is a leading cause of periodontal disease.
Your body is unable to create Vitamin C by itself, so you need to get your daily requirement by taking eating foods that are rich in Vitamin C and avoiding foods that inhibit the metabolism of Vitamin C. The highest levels of Vitamin C are found in those wonderful yet highly acidic fruits: oranges and lemons. Therefore, taking precautions to keep most acidic fruits from hurting your teeth is important.
Next time you are enjoying that delicious orange, just remember to rinse your mouth with water.