Even if you’ve been to the dentist just once in your life, you know that sugary foods and drinks are bad for your teeth. But do you know why that is?

The simple truth is that it’s not the sugar per se but the chemical reaction that happens between the sugar and the bacteria in your mouth. As bacteria metabolize sugar, the byproduct is acid. When this acid comes into contact with the enamel on your teeth, it has a destructive influence. As a result, teeth are left weakened and exposed to the possibility of experiencing decay.

Fluoride helps strengthen teeth by attracting important minerals, but some patients aren’t getting as much fluoride as they used to or need to. Thanks to the popularity of bottled water today, many patients are drinking non-fluoridated water every day, depriving their teeth of essential protection.

So, how can you protect your smile?

The first way is through regular maintenance at home. Brush and floss after every meal if you can. If you can’t do that, try rinsing your mouth with water between meals. Chewing a sugar-less gum sweetened with xylitol can also help, and you may also want to use a fluoride mouthwash to help strengthen your teeth.

Regular checkups are also important.  Remember to schedule one every six months, or about twice a year. During a regular checkup, Dr. Hornstein and the rest of our team at The Center for Advanced Dentistry in Beachwood can thoroughly examine your smile and look for signs of decay. If we find any sign of trouble, we can create a treatment plan to help you combat it before it develops into a serious problem.

Call our office today to schedule next appointment. The Center for Advanced Dentistry serves patients from Beachwood, Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and beyond.

Fall starts on Saturday, September 22. That means a new season, and the cooler weather that comes with it, is on the way. It also means the arrival of the holiday season, a joyful but notoriously hectic time for most of us.

Given both of these statements, your next dental visit is probably the last thing on your mind. But despite that, now is actually the perfect time to get your fall visit out of the way, especially if your last checkup with The Center for Advanced Dentistry was in January or February.

When you consider how important rich, decadent foods are to the holiday season, don’t you want to enjoy all that you can without letting thoughts about your oral health hold you back? With your regular checkup and cleaning, Dr. Hornstein can tell you where you stand and, if need be, offer restorative or cosmetic therapies that will help you get your smile into great shape just in time for all the fun.

What’s more, if you’re like many patients, you have dental benefits that will expire at the end of the year. By coming to see us sooner rather than later, we can help you apply those benefits to the essential care you need now instead of later next year.

Call The Center for Advanced Dentistry in Beachwood today to schedule your fall checkup. During your checkup, Dr. Hornstein will complete a thorough oral exam and help you understand how your smile is doing. And if we need to, our team would be happy to talk to you about brushing and floss, in addition to recommending additional services. We serve patients from Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and beyond.