Sugary food and drinks are one of the main causes of tooth decay. Acid is produced when the bacteria in your mouth break down the sugar. The acid dissolves the tooth surface, which is the first stage of tooth decay.
Many fruits are high in acidity, including lemons, grapefruit, strawberries, grapes, and apples. The high sugar and acid content in soda makes it another huge contributor to enamel decay. Moderately acidic foods include pineapple, oranges, tomatoes, cottage cheese, maple syrup, yogurt, raisins, pickles, and honey.
Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the body. Problem is, it's not living tissue, so it can't be naturally regenerated. Unfortunately, you can't regrow it artificially, either -- not even with those special toothpastes.
Tooth decay can occur when acid is produced from plaque, which builds up on your teeth. If plaque is allowed to build up, it can lead to further problems, such as dental caries (holes in the teeth), gum disease or dental abscesses, which are collections of pus at the end of the teeth or in the gums.
Foods high in acid wear away enamel and leave teeth less protected. The top culprits include hard sugar candies, coffee, citrus fruits -- like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits -- and soda.
Eat More Enamel-Strengthening Foods
As the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests, dairy products are a great calcium source, but many vegetables also are calcium-rich. Soybeans in edamame and tofu, broccoli rabe, kale and other leafy greens are leading non-dairy options for adding calcium to your diet.
Try non-acidic foods: Certain foods are good for your enamel. Many types of fruits and vegetables, dairy products such as milk, and foods or drinks containing fluoride – notably spinach, grapes and black tea – will be useful to naturally restore enamel.
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Floss regularly. Visit your dentist routinely for a checkup and cleaning. Tell the dentist about any medical conditions you have and medications you take.
Even though they're good for you, most fruits like bananas have high sugar content. Just like sugar from any other source, this sugar can contribute to tooth decay, as bacteria in your child's mouth will consume it and excrete acid, which may cause cavities over time.
Coffee, like any drink other than water, increases your risk of developing cavities. Because it introduces bacteria and acids into your mouth, coffee can also erode tooth enamel causing sensitivity and brittle teeth over time.
Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that a dentist has to repair with a filling.
Can a cracked tooth heal? No, a cracked tooth can't heal, but treatment might save your tooth. Getting your broken tooth repaired quickly can lessen your risk of more damage and infection.
As the enamel continues to erode, your teeth might turn a gray or yellowish color. If your teeth change shape, it's a good indicator that you have enamel damage. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial.
Non-White or Yellow Teeth are Unhealthy
Teeth whitening treatments usually work by stripping or entering the outer enamel layer, which makes teeth weaker if done many times. So, more often than not, yellow teeth are actually stronger than pearly white ones–so long as they're cleaned regularly.
Can a loose tooth be saved? Yes, but it depends on the reason the tooth is loose. If a tooth is loose because of gum disease, it might tighten back up with consistent and proper dental hygiene. A deep cleaning with a hygienist called Scaling & Root Planing is typically the best treatment option.
The rate of tooth decay in people over 65 now outpaces that of schoolchildren. A prime target of dental caries in older adults is around the neck of the tooth, adjacent to the gum line. Gum tissue naturally recedes with age, so the soft root tissue becomes exposed.
Fruits with high levels of Vitamin C and antioxidants can help neutralize the bacteria in your mouth. Apples, strawberries, cranberries, kiwis, and oranges are all good providers of these healthy teeth ingredients.
Soda, sugary food, and drinks are harmful to your teeth and sometimes more harmful than battery acid. Other causes of fast tooth decay can stem from other sources like acid reflux, stomach problems, or eating disorders such as bulimia.
Tooth decay creates a sulphurous or bad smell due to the enamel and dentine being broken down. As the bacteria consume these substances, they release a gas into your mouth that creates the unpleasant odour that occurs with cavities and rotten teeth.
In most cases, by the time you notice the symptoms of tooth decay, it will be too late to reverse the damage with natural methods. You will need to consult your dentist to prevent the damage from spreading to other areas of the tooth.