What is a "pellicle" and why do you need to know about it?
Speaking about tooth enamel, it is important to understand the meaning of the term "pellicle". It is a bacterial
protective barrier on the surface of the tooth formed by saliva. During the day, the pellicle gets dirty, we
clean
it with a brush, and then it forms again. Contamination of the pellicle can be felt if you run your tongue over
the
surface of the dentition - if you do not feel perfect smoothness, then it`s time to brush your teeth or at least
rinse your mouth with clean water.
Sugars and acids contained in the products pollute and destroy first the pellicle, and then the upper layers of
tooth enamel, provoking the occurrence and development of caries. Having received a full range of dental
services in
Turkey, adjust your diet and adjust oral hygiene in order to enjoy healthy teeth and a snow-white smile for as
long
as possible.
Does sugar destroy teeth?
It is noteworthy that sugar itself is not the cause of caries. When a person eats something sweet, the bacterial
flora of the oral cavity also feeds on sugar, and at the same time secretes acidic waste products. It is the
acid
that demineralizes, decalcifies the enamel, violates its integrity, which leads to the appearance of caries. It
is
this process that is meant when it comes to the negative effects of sugar on dental health.
Sweet drinks
Carbonated drinks contain harmful sugar, which feeds the pathogenic microflora, as well as acids that destroy
the
protective barrier of enamel. Do a simple experiment: take a sip of your favorite drink after brushing and run
your
tongue over the surface of your teeth. You will immediately feel the difference.
Fruit juices and nectars, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails should also be included here – all drinks with a
sweet taste are certainly harmful. If you really want to drink a milkshake or packaged juice, do it through a
straw
to minimize the contact of liquid and enamel, and then drink water.
Sweets
Sugar is extremely harmful to teeth, as it creates an ideal environment for the reproduction of bacteria. All
sweets
are undesirable in the diet, but there are real champions in the destruction of enamel.
Granola bar
It would seem that there is such a thing - a healthy snack, this is not a bar of milk chocolate or a lollipop,
right? However, it is in this product that there are all kinds of enemies of teeth: a large amount of sugar
(albeit
in the form of honey or fruit syrup), a viscous base that gets stuck in the interdental spaces and loosens
fillings,
as well as chopped nuts. This should also include kozinaks of all kinds.
Stringy sweets and pure sugar
Sticky toffee, caramel, lollipops, chocolate, cotton candy, nougat, grillage are the enemies of enamel. Various
lollipops are especially dangerous, because they are in the oral cavity for a long time.
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Chewing gum
Sweet chewing gum and chewing candies are the undisputed enemy of healthy enamel, because the prolonged presence
of
sugar mass in the mouth provokes an increase in the number of bacteria destroying teeth, and the viscous base
strives to carry away the shaken seal.
However, there are also useful chewing gums and lollipops, which dentists recommend chewing for a few minutes
after
eating at least every day. We are talking about products containing xylitol - a useful sweetener that prevents
the
reproduction of a pathogenic environment. However, even such a useful gum becomes harmful if you chew it for a
long
time - limit yourself to a few minutes for the benefit.
Dried fruits
Of course, dried fruits contain a lot of useful macro- and microelements, and this is a good alternative to
harmful
sweets, but sweet dried apricots, raisins or prunes are often clogged in the interdental spaces. Staying there
for a
long time, they provoke the development of caries.
Jam with small bones
Raspberry and strawberry jam, in addition to the sugar content, have a lot of small seeds, which often get stuck
between the teeth and in the fissures, provoking damage to the enamel.
Caffeine
Tannic acids contained in coffee and other products containing caffeine, according to many dentists, are much
more
harmful than sweets. They not only stain the enamel, but also destroy it. The longer the drink stays in the
mouth,
the worse – if frequent coffee breaks are inevitable, strengthen oral hygiene.
Simple carbohydrates
Flour products, potatoes, pasta contain a lot of fast carbohydrates, which already partially break down into
simple
sugars in the oral cavity. The latter serve as food for pathogenic bacteria, because as a result of chemical
reactions, lactic acid is released, corroding the enamel and irritating the gums.
Chips, crackers
All this is fermentable starch with salt and a large glycemic index, which makes food much more harmful and
dangerous.
Alcohol
If a person drinks alcohol regularly, then the leaching of calcium from the body, and, as a result, problems
with
enamel, are inevitable. Many alcoholic beverages contain dyes and flavors that also negatively affect dental
health.
Fried seeds and nuts
If you already have problems with your teeth, you should limit the use of seeds and nuts, because because of
their
dense structure they can cause enamel chips, damage crowns and fillings. If you are a fan of gnawing, that is,
husking seeds, you should urgently leave this habit to stop the grinding of enamel and the curvature of the
front
teeth.
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Any hot and cold products
The temperature drop has a detrimental effect on the condition of the teeth: you should not alternate hot coffee
and
ice cream, steaming kebab and cola from the refrigerator. Using such combinations of products, you will soon
find
increased sensitivity of teeth and enamel damage.
Pickled foods
In 2004, a study was conducted in the UK to establish a link between eating habits and dental conditions in
adolescents. As a result, salted and pickled cucumbers became the product that most strongly contributed to the
damage to the enamel. The reason is the high acidity of the brine and marinade, to which vinegar is added,
literally
burning enamel.
Fibrous meat, red caviar and corn
Prefer cutlets to steak if you already have problems with your gums or will not be able to use dental floss in
the
near future. Stuck fibers, decomposing, will create a favorable environment for bacteria. This also applies to
corn
grains and red caviar, which strive to fill all the interdental spaces.
Sauces
Mayonnaise, tkemali, ketchup, unagi, soy and other sauces undoubtedly make the taste of dishes brighter, but the
acids, sugar and spicy spices contained in them are not the best "friends" of enamel. Reduce the use of sauces
to a
minimum.
Citrus fruits
The last position of our list will surely surprise you, because citrus fruits are very useful for the human
body,
strengthen the immune system. Many people have heard about the folk recipe for teeth whitening with lemon juice.
However, dentists say that citric acid, contained in all citrus fruits, has an extremely negative effect on the
enamel, thinning it, repeatedly increasing the sensitivity of teeth.
Does this mean that you need to forget about orange juice or a box of tangerines for the New Year forever? Not
at
all, just do not forget to rinse your mouth with water as soon as possible and thoroughly after eating citrus
fruits.
How to save the enamel?
Every dentist patient who has heard this list of harmful products involuntarily raises the question: what to eat
now, how to protect the enamel? You may well sometimes afford a glass of soda or another product from the
prohibited
list, but you should brush your teeth or rinse them as soon as possible.
You should also avoid any mechanical impact on the enamel, except brushing your teeth with a brush, dental floss
or
an irrigator. Perform professional dental cleaning at the dentist 2-3 times a year. Eat foods rich in calcium
and
phosphorus. Choose the right toothpaste by consulting a dentist.