There are so many things which parents would say just to get their tiny tots to march to the bathroom and brush their teeth. And if you’re one of those parents who say these little fibs just to drive the point across, then you must have gotten these white lies from your parents, too. Either way, here are some of the not-so-truthful things we say about our teeth and the real truth behind every single one of them:
Lie: Sweets are the root of all dental evil.
This is the most popular thing which parents say to their kids and this statement is repeated more often during holidays wherein treats flow graciously such as Halloween and Easter. But are sweets the only foods which can damage your pearly whites?
Truth: Sugar can be converted from not-so-sweet stuff.
The answer is no. In fact, you may be eating stuff which is good for your body which, if left exposed to your teeth for prolonged periods of time, could do substantial damage. These things include complex carbohydrates such as rice and milk. Your saliva serves not just to allow you to taste your food but also to digest your food, converting complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. Right after a meal, your mouth is beaming with lots of carbohydrates which your mouth which your saliva eagerly converts into sugars which then cause all the damage.
Lie: Only kids can get tooth decay.
This may be a very consoling thought for adults, but unfortunately, it’s ridden with inconsistencies. Basically, the formula for a mouth full of cavities is the same in kids as it is in adults. If there is too much sugar inside your mouth, this only entices the bacteria to grow amuck and the larger the population of bacteria is inside your mouth, the more acid by-products are released. These acidic components will damage the enamel of your teeth and cause craters which we affectionately call cavities.
Truth: Adults become more prone to tooth decay as they age.
The substance produced by the body which curbs the unrestricted growth of bacteria inside your mouth is saliva. Saliva can neutralize acids produced by these harmful microorganisms and can also limit their growth. However, there are a number of factors which can halt the secretion of your salivary glands as you grow older, and one of those factors is taking antihypertensive medications. A dry mouth is a mouth that is teeming with bacteria. And with all that bacteria comes not just acids but also foul substances.
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