How Sugar Affects Teeth And Retainers

May 19, 2023

Most people think that sugar is largely to blame for poor oral health, especially as far as teeth go. But in a real sense, if you eat sugar and clean your teeth thoroughly, you are less likely to see any adverse effects. The real problem with sugar on teeth is what it does when it is left in the mouth. When you leave sugar in the mouth after taking sugary food, drinks or treats, the mouth produces a lot of acid and this is what leads to cavities. To keep cavities at bay therefore, you should always brush your teeth after eating meals especially sugary meals. You can also help the situation by limiting the sugar amount that you consume.

If you have dental retainers, then you need to be extra careful with the sugar. This is not only because sugar can ruin them, but also because they can trap sugar and make it harder for you to keep your teeth and mouth free from the harmful sugar levels. When you eat too much sugar with your dental retainer on, there is a likelihood of getting spots on your teeth, especially if you are not very careful with your brushing and flossing. The sugar increases risk of tooth decay and you also risk grim buildup on your it. Such buildups are not only unhygienic but they can also end up weakening your retainers meaning you are likely to have broken retainers.

It is important to remember that the acid in the mouth eventually starts eating away on your teeth and this can create pockets where bacteria thrive. With time, you will have painful erosion and you also remain susceptible to cavities. To keep your teeth healthy and your dental retainer in top shape, adopt a good cleaning regime. It is actually a very simple way of keeping dental retainer repair minimal because you will have fewer damages.

Oral Health and Dental Retainer Care Tips

· When you are wearing your dental retainers, avoid eating hard and sticky sugary foods. These foods can actually cause damage to them.

· Cut your consumption of sugary foods. Remember that dental retainers can trap foods, making it harder to clean plaque away leading to an easy start of tooth decay.

· Make a habit of brushing your teeth thoroughly at least thrice every day most importantly after taking your meals. A soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste should do the trick in keeping your teeth healthy.

· Apart from the teeth, make sure that you also schedule dental retainer cleaning times every once in a while. You can use simple techniques such as using a toothbrush and paste to clean them and also ensuring that they remain in water when not worn. Find out from your dentist the best way to clean and care for your retainers to get it right and keep damages minimal.

· Have regular oral checkups with your dentist and make sure that you have your broken retainers repaired or have lost retainers replaced as soon as possible. If you experience any teeth issues or concerns, you also want to check with your dentist.