Teeth

[thebigchill]

How do sugary things damage your teeth? Is it the fact that you eat/drink them in the first place, or is it the length of time until you brush your teeth? For instance, would brushing my teeth / swishing mouthwash after eating a chocolate bar or drinking a can of fizzy juice stop the damage?

[Sir Alec]

Sugars attract bacteria and form plaque. The acids caused by plaque eat away the enamel. Yes, brushing after sweet foods will help, but fruits contain the same acids, ie natural sugars which do equal damage, so brushing after any food is important, not just sweets. Too much brushing will wear away enamel and erode gums, so don't be too fanatical!

[polyanna18]

I grew up in the 50's when sweets were rationed so hardly ate any sweets but lost most of my top teeth before I was 30. The dentist says it was through lack of calicum in my body after being pregnant.

[happy_face]

you can also lose your teeth from gum disease. Doesn't matter if your teeth are in perfect shape if you don't look after your gums