#3. Time
Three ways to use time to your advantage
When it comes to preventing cavities, we often focus on the role of sugar and oral hygiene, but time is actually one of the most important factors and often the most overlooked. The longer sugar stays in your mouth, the more damage it can do to your teeth. However, the good news is that time is also the easiest factor to use to your advantage to reduce tooth decay.
Reducing Frequency of Sugar Consumption. Reducing the frequency of sugar consumption is a key way to use time to your advantage. For example, sipping on a cup of milk for three hours is worse for your teeth than drinking a gallon of soda in five minutes (your overall health is a different story!). Think of your mouth like a dishwasher that is constantly trying to clean itself. Every time you eat, you interrupt the cleaning cycle. By grouping your sugar intake into one-hour meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner) and consuming only water in between, your mouth can clean and heal itself.
Avoiding Sticky Candy. Another way to use time to your advantage is by avoiding sticky candy. Eat just one piece of sticky candy in the morning and that candy might still be in your mouth by nighttime. To your teeth, it's like you've been eating candy nonstop all day, even if you aren't. Avoiding sticky candy (choosing chocolate is a good option) reduces the time the sugar is in your mouth, minimizing damage to your teeth.
Rinsing After Meals. Rinsing your mouth with water after meals is a simple but effective way to reduce the amount of time food and sugar sit on your teeth. This helps to wash away any leftover food particles and reduce the amount of time bacteria have to produce acid that can lead to cavities.
Going to Bed with a Clean Mouth. Ever wake up with a dry mouth? That’s because you produce less saliva when you sleep. Without saliva, your mouth is not able to clean itself. That’s why going to bed with a clean mouth is essential. Brushing and flossing before bedtime removes any leftover food particles and plaque, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Otherwise, the bacteria will be having a party with all the food and sugar left in your mouth all night long.
In conclusion, time plays a crucial role in causing cavities, but by using time to your advantage, you can reduce tooth decay. Reducing the frequency of sugar consumption, avoiding sticky candy, rinsing after meals, and going to bed with a clean mouth are all simple and effective ways to minimize the amount of time sugar and bacteria stay in your mouth. By making these changes and maintaining good oral health habits, you can prevent cavities and maintain a healthy smile.
