One of the easiest ways to care for your teeth is to brush and floss regularly. But sometimes, your teeth might feel weaker with time. You may have a hard time chewing or biting down on food.
Unfortunately, brittle teeth can also chip or break with time. But you can do things to strengthen your brittle teeth and protect them from these dangers. Here are three ways to minimize the effects of brittle teeth and enjoy better dental wellbeing.
1. Avoid Sugary Foods and Beverages
Sweetened drinks and sugary foods are bad news for your dental health. They contain high amounts of acids that can gradually eat away at your enamel.
Sugars also provide a food source for the bacteria in your mouth. When bacteria act on these sugars, they produce acids that add to the damage to your enamel.
Chewy candy is especially risky since it sticks on your teeth after you chew. Hard candies also remain in your mouth longer and allow more time for bacteria to act.
In addition, some drinks contain citric acids that can weaken your teeth, including flavored water.
You can substitute these foods with better alternatives such as:
• Low-fat dairy foods
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins
• Vegetables
Also, instead of sweetened drinks, drink water if you feel thirsty.
2. Don't Over-Brush
You shouldn't brush your teeth immediately after you snack on sugary or acidic foods. Because these foods soften your tooth surface, you might further weaken the enamel if you brush too soon after you eat them. In addition, your enamel is likely to wear down even more if you brush too hard or too vigorously.
You should wait at least
an hour
after you eat before you brush your teeth. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid worsening your teeth's condition. Remember to brush your tongue as well to help reduce harmful bacteria in your mouth. The less the bacterial content, the better off your brittle teeth will be in the long run.
Your dentist can also recommend special toothpaste with enamel-strengthening ingredients, such as fluoride. They can also suggest a brushing schedule that works to help your brittle teeth regain their strength.
3. Treat Your Dry Mouth Condition
Brittle teeth can be caused by a dry mouth, where your mouth doesn't have enough saliva. Interestingly, saliva not only helps your mouth feel comfortable but is also crucial in protecting your teeth.
Low amounts of saliva can have a huge effect on your overall dental health. Your teeth and gums may develop infections that may prevent you from enjoying a good meal. In addition, saliva neutralizes the acids in your mouth. This prevents tooth damage and decay caused by mouth bacteria.
Without enough saliva, your tooth enamel has no protection from corrosive acids. And if your teeth are already weak, the condition can get worse. You might have to deal with other dental issues you didn't expect.
A dry mouth may occur if you take certain medications or if you're getting
radiation treatment. You could talk to your dentist about any favorable treatments to counter these effects. They may suggest rinses that might improve the saliva content in your mouth.
Also, drink lots of water every day to supplement the little moisture in your mouth. If you perform intense workouts, rehydrate as often as you can. With these tips, you can increase the saliva in your mouth and protect your brittle teeth from further deterioration.
Brittle teeth don't have to make your life difficult. Contact us at
Advanced Dental Care
if you need help getting the proper treatment. We look forward to assisting you!
