MANY FOODS, INCLUDING dairy products, meats, fish, some grains, sugars, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages can contribute to an overabundance of acid in the body. To combat the indigestion and discomfort these foods may cause, people take antacids. Trouble is, antacids can have damaging side effects on your smile.

Antacids May Weaken Your Teeth

For proper digestion, your stomach needs a certain level of acidity. If you take antacids too often or in high enough doses, your body can react by producing more acid than normal. Too much acid can lead to more heartburn (and may compel you to take even more antacids). In their attempt to block the acid production, antacids can inhibit the absorption of calcium and protein—both vital components for improving the strength of your teeth and jaw.

Antacids Can Lead To Tooth Decay And Gum Disease

Antacids can cause dry mouth. With less saliva in your mouth to wash food debris from your teeth and neutralize the acid produced by plaque, you’re more likely to experience gum disease and tooth decay.

Antacids are also often full of sugar and the chewable ones can get stuck in the crevices of your teeth. This type of prolonged exposure can contribute to cavities.

After You “Spell Relief” Rinse The Antacids Off Your Teeth

Tips For Avoiding The Negative Effects Of Antacids

• Use antacids in moderation. Try sugar-free ones.
• Rinse your mouth after taking antacids, and after eating acidic foods.
• Consume less acidic foods and drinks.
• To protect enamel, wait about 30 minutes to brush after eating antacids or acidic foods.
• Sugarless gum and candies can help with dry mouth.
• Baking soda can help clean your teeth AND neutralize stomach acid.

Questions?

We hope this information was helpful. If you have questions about antacids, please ask us.

Thanks for being one of our valued patients!

WE BELIEVE IN PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY and yes, much of that depends on you! Cleaning your teeth after you eat is important, but the effects of good habits also have a lot to do with what you eat.

Keep Your Smile Healthy By Packing Great Lunches

Eating on-the-go can be problematic. In the morning, grabbing a donut is much easier than making an omelette! But taking the time to think through what you’re eating for lunch is really important for both your oral and overall health. Whether you’re planning your own lunch or you’re making lunch for your kids to take to school, keep these three smile-friendly lunch tips in mind.

1. Switch Out The Troublemakers

Chewy, sweet foods like gummies or dried fruits like Craisins can be really bad for your teeth because they stick! For a sweet treat, choose fresh fruit or even a little bit of chocolate.

Processed, starchy crackers or chips are trouble-makers. They stick to teeth and turn into sugars very quickly. Opt for whole grains instead—or even better, some healthy nuts or seeds.

2. Reconsider What You Drink

Soda and sports drinks are bad news for your teeth. Some fruit juices are loaded with sugar and acid as well. Consider milk or water instead. Chocolate milk may be a good option too. It offers protein and almost half of your daily calcium.

If you just can’t kick the soda habit, drink water after you finish lunch to help clean and rebalance your mouth.

3. Use Natural Scrubbers

There are certain foods that actually help your teeth. For example, yogurt and cheese can cut acidity making something like fruit juice less harmful. And then there are great fruits and vegetables that scrub your teeth when you eat them and get rid of built-up sugars and starches from your lunch. These include celery, apples, carrots, cucumbers, and pears.

This Video Is Specific To School Lunches, But The Tips Are Great For Everyone!

The ideas in this video are great. Start using some of them today!

Do You Have Any Tips To Add?

Do you have any ideas of your own to add? Comment below, we’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for your trust in our practice. We appreciate wonderful patients like you.

WE’VE ALL BEEN THROUGH IT, RIGHT? Can you remember when your baby teeth were falling out? Did one of your parents yank them out for you? Or, were you one of those do-it-yourself-ers?

Our Advice? No Viral Video Attempts Pulling Teeth In Crazy Ways

Have you seen some of the online videos out there where parents subject their children to absurd tooth-yanking antics? Videos like that raise the question (or should raise the question) of motive. But that’s another discussion for another time… This post is about whether you should let them fall out naturally, let the child pull them out, or pull them out yourself. Here’s some information to help you make that decision. Don’t have children? Share the information below with someone who does. They’ll appreciate it!

Five Things To Consider

1. Most dentists today say NOT to pull a child’s tooth. Letting the child wiggle the tooth out with their own fingers or tongue may be the better idea. Why? Because only he or she knows for sure how loose (or attached) the tooth really is and how much discomfort it is causing.
2. If the child has waited long enough to pull it, there shouldn’t be much bleeding. Pack a small piece of wet gauze and hold pressure there for a few minutes. The bleeding should stop fairly quickly.
3. Sometimes permanent teeth push the new tooth in an unusual direction which can affect the gums. If this happens, you may want to give us a call.
4. Although not typical, a tooth can come out while eating and may be swallowed. Don’t worry! It’s very unlikely the child will choke on it. The tooth fairy may be a little disappointed, but a swallowed tooth is not harmful.
5. Some parents offer their child a fresh, crisp, delicious apple! If the tooth is loose enough, it will likely come out.

A Little One You Know Will Enjoy Watching This Video

Take this opportunity to visit with your child, grandchild, or someone you know about the importance of caring for baby teeth before they fall out. They’re important in the development of a healthy adult smile.

Adults With Loose Teeth

For adults, it’s not normal or healthy for a tooth to be loose. If you have a loose tooth, contact us right away so we can determine the cause and recommend a solution.

Thank you for trusting us with your oral health.