Toggle navigation
Stanek Family Dental
3527 W Oklahoma Ave Milwaukee, WI 53215(414) 645-6699
  • Facebook
  • blog
  • Twitter

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Patient Education

Help Your Mouth's Ability to Fight Tooth Decay With Better Hygiene and Diet

  • Blog Home
  • Oral+Health
  • Help Your Mouth's Ability to Fight Tooth Decay With Better Hygiene and Diet

Help Your Mouth's Ability to Fight Tooth Decay With Better Hygiene and Diet

By Stanek Family Dental
December 30, 2014
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral health   oral hygiene  
HelpYourMouthsAbilitytoFightToothDecayWithBetterHygieneandDiet

Your teeth have enemies — bacteria that feed on biofilm, a thin layer of food remnant known as plaque that sticks to your teeth, are one such example. After ingestion, these bacteria produce acid, which can erode your teeth’s protective enamel and lead to tooth decay.

Fortunately, you have a weapon against enamel loss already at work in your mouth — saliva. Saliva neutralizes high levels of acid, as well as restores some of the enamel’s mineral content lost when the mouth is too acidic (re-mineralization).

Unfortunately, saliva can be overwhelmed if your mouth is chronically acidic. Here’s how you can help this powerful ally protect your enamel and stop tooth decay with better hygiene and eating habits:

Remove bacterial plaque daily. You should floss and brush with fluoride toothpaste everyday to remove plaque. It’s also recommended that you visit us twice a year for professional cleanings to remove hard to reach plaque. We can also train you on how to properly floss and brush.

Wait an hour after eating to brush. It may sound counterintuitive, but brushing immediately after you eat can do more harm than good. The mouth is naturally acidic just after eating and some degree of enamel softening usually occurs. It takes a half hour or so for saliva to restore the mouth’s pH balance and re-mineralize the enamel. If you brush before then, you may brush away some of the softened enamel.

Limit sweets to mealtimes. Constantly snacking on sweets (or sipping sodas, sports or energy drinks) will expose your teeth to a chronic high level of acid — and saliva can’t keep up in neutralizing it. If you can’t abstain from sugar, at least limit your consumption to mealtime. It’s also a good habit to rinse out your mouth with clear water after drinking an acidic drink to flush out excess acid.

Boost saliva content with supplements. If you suffer from insufficient saliva production or dry mouth, try an artificial saliva supplement. Chewing xylitol gum can also help boost saliva production, as well as inhibit the growth of infection-causing bacteria. We’ll be glad to advise you on the use of these products.

If you would like more information on protecting your teeth from tooth decay, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • Your Regular Dental Visits Might Change if You've had Gum Disease
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Harms Your Health
      • January (3)
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
        • Moderate Fluoride Use Packs the Biggest Punch for Decay Prevention
        • Less-Invasive Pulp Capping Could Save Your Tooth
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • 3 Things You Might Notice with Your Child's Teeth That Need a Dentist
        • Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love
        • Don't give up on Flossing!
      • November (3)
        • TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
        • This November, Become a Non-Smoker
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
      • October (3)
        • Professional Whitening Offers an Effective Way to Restore Your Smile's Luster
        • A Long-Term Orthodontic Strategy Could Help Ensure an Attractive Smile Later in Life
        • What You Should Know About Antibiotic Therapy Before Implant Surgery
      • September (3)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • A New School Year, A New Beginning
        • Tell Your Dentist if You're Having a Shingles Outbreak
      • August (4)
        • Treating Gum Abscesses and the Underlying Gum Disease
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
        • World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!
        • Cosmetic Gum Surgery Can Help Restore Lost Tissues Around Teeth
      • July (3)
        • Anchors Make all the Difference in Successful Orthodontic Treatment
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
        • What you can Expect if You're Undergoing Implant Surgery
      • June (3)
        • 3 Areas to Watch to Avoid Excessive Tooth Wear
        • Artificial Sweeteners Could Help You Reduce the Risk of Dental Disease
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
      • May (3)
        • If You're Considering Braces, Here's How They Work
        • Not a Fan of Using CPAP for Your Sleep Apnea? Consider an Oral Appliance
        • Stop Teeth Grinding Now Before it Creates Dental Problems Later
      • April (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • Keep Your Smile Beautiful...in April and Beyond
      • March (2)
        • Keep an Eye on Your Young Children's Fluoride Intake
        • Although a Challenge, Chronically Ill Children Need Tooth Decay Prevention
      • February (3)
        • How Teeth Whitening Brings Out Tara Lipinski's Winning Smile
        • A "No-Prep" Veneer Could Eliminate the Need to Remove Tooth Enamel
        • February Focuses on Children's Dental Health
      • January (2)
        • New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Have a Loose Tooth? You'll Need This Two-Phase Treatment to Save It
        • Boost Your Overall Health by Reducing Gum Inflammation
      • November (2)
        • Use These Techniques to Enjoy Healthy Foods Even with a Jaw Joint Disorder
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
      • October (2)
        • A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
        • An Orthodontic Retainer: Insurance Well Spent for Keeping Your New Smile
      • September (2)
        • Why Dental Care is Even More Important When You're Pregnant
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
      • August (3)
        • Use the Same Prevention Strategy to Defeat Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
        • The 3 Top Causes for Tooth Sensitivity
      • July (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Loose Adult Teeth Require Immediate Attention and Treatment
      • June (2)
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • Tooth Troubles for NBA Star Isaiah Thomas
      • May (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • Consider Bone Health When Deciding Between Implants and Dentures
      • April (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
        • Encourage Your College-Bound Child to Practice Good Oral Health Habits
      • March (3)
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • The Top 3 Oral Problems in America - and What You Should Do About Them
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
      • February (1)
        • Avoid Permanent Tooth Alteration with No-Prep Veneers
      • January (3)
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
        • The 21st Century Promises Better Dental Diagnostics with Cone Beam Imaging
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • The Right Treatment for Your Child's Injured Tooth Increases its Survival
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
      • November (2)
        • Reduce Your Oral Cancer Risk with Better Diet and Lifestyle Choices
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
      • October (3)
        • New Understanding of Bacteria Promises Better Approaches to Oral Care
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • Cleaning Your Oral Appliance Extends its Life and Ensures Good Health
      • September (2)
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
        • RPDs Offer Another Tooth Replacement Option for those on a Tight Budget
      • August (2)
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • We may Still be Able to Save Your Tooth with a Root Canal Alternative
      • July (3)
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Loose Permanent Teeth is a Problem - take Action Now
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
      • June (2)
        • Researchers Looking for Links between TMJD and Other Health Conditions
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
      • May (2)
        • Create a Strategy to Deal with Dental Problems to Avoid Future Expenses
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
      • April (2)
        • Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • March (2)
        • Don't Delay Treatment of Gum Disease
        • A Toothless Tiger?
      • February (2)
        • Oral Sedation Helps Reduce Anxiety During Dental Treatment
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
      • January (2)
        • The Dangers of DIY Braces
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
  • 2015
      • December (2)
        • Easing the Pain and Discomfort of Canker Sores
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • November (2)
        • Your Other Teeth May Need Straightening Before Replacing a Missing Tooth
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • October (2)
        • Dental Care of Prime Importance for Children with Special Health Needs
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
      • September (2)
        • Take Steps to Ease That Burning Sensation in Your Mouth
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
      • August (2)
        • Inform Your Dentist if You're Taking Blood Thinners
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
      • July (2)
        • Keep Your New Smile After Orthodontics with a Retainer
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
      • June (2)
        • Put an End to Bad Oral Habits to Slow the Rate of Tooth Wear
        • A Royal Fix
      • May (2)
        • Beyond Their Marketing Claims, Most Toothpastes are Surprisingly Similar
        • Florence Henderson Talks About Preventative Dentistry
      • April (2)
        • White Spots on Your Teeth After Braces May Be An Early Sign of Enamel Loss
        • Shaquille O'Neal's Slam Dunk Against Sleep Apnea
      • March (2)
        • Chronic Biting Habits Can Lead to Loose Teeth
        • John Stamos, Britney Spears, and How to Relax During Dental Treatment
      • February (2)
        • Choose a Mouthrinse Carefully if you want to Enhance your Dental Health
        • Padma Lakshmi's Smile: A Recipe for Beauty
      • January (2)
        • Orthodontic Headgear: What It Is and Why It May be Needed
        • Take a Lesson From Hockey Player Mike Bossy
  • 2014
      • December (3)
        • Help Your Mouth's Ability to Fight Tooth Decay With Better Hygiene and Diet
        • Flossing: An Important Part of TV Designer Nate Berkus' Oral Health Routine
        • Assessing Your Risk for Severe Gum Disease
      • November (2)
        • Christie Brinkley's All-American Smile
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (50)
  • dental implants (7)
  • gum disease (11)
  • fluoride (3)
  • floss (1)
  • oral health (13)
  • oral hygiene (16)
  • dental injury (7)
  • mouthguard (2)
  • orthodontics (5)
  • headgear (1)
  • cosmetic dentistry (4)
  • mouthrinse (1)
  • snoring (2)
  • sleep apnea (2)
  • dental hygiene (1)
  • toothpaste (1)
  • bonding (1)
  • tooth wear (2)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • retainers (2)
  • braces (7)
  • teeth wear (1)
  • medicine (1)
  • tooth grinding (1)
  • burning mouth syndrome (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (4)
  • orthodontic treatment (6)
  • canker sore (1)
  • wisdom teeth (2)
  • sedation dentistry (1)
  • oral sedation (1)
  • crowns (2)
  • periodontal disease (1)
  • tmj disorders (3)
  • loose teeth (2)
  • root canal treatment (2)
  • apicoectomy (1)
  • partial dentures (1)
  • mouthguards (2)
  • oral appliance (1)
  • night guard (1)
  • oral cancer (1)
  • veneers (1)
  • x-ray (1)
  • porcelain veneers (2)
  • teeth whitening (3)
  • tooth decay (3)
  • abscessed tooth (1)
  • chipped teeth (1)
  • sensitive teeth (1)
  • bad breath (1)
  • pregnancy (1)
  • retainer (1)
  • partial denture (1)
  • nutrition (1)
  • loose tooth (1)
  • dental care (1)
  • teeth grinding (2)
  • bruxism (1)
  • artificial sweeteners (1)
  • thumb sucking (1)
  • tads (1)
  • cosmetic gum surgery (1)
  • chipped tooth (2)
  • shingles (1)
  • flossing (1)
  • toothache (1)
  • pulp capping (1)

Categories:

  • None (1)
  • Oral Health (63)
  • Dental Procedures (54)

Our Location

3527 W Oklahoma Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53215
(414) 645-6699

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tuesday:08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wednesday:08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thursday:08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Friday:Closed
Saturday:08:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Website for Dentist Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map