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Your Body's Natural Defenses for the Teeth

Posted on 4/10/2016 by Brandon Cooley

A women chewing a piece of sugarless gum to protect her oral health.

We all know the importance of brushing and flossing when it comes to good oral health, but did you know that your body also has some natural safeguards in place?

The saliva is one of the most crucial components, so it is important that your mouth is well hydrated so that you can best take advantage of this defense.

Find out more about how your body attempts to naturally protect your teeth.

How the Saliva Protects Your Mouth

One of the best ways that your body protects your mouth is with saliva. While you are eating, the body will produce and release saliva that can protect your gums and teeth in several ways:

•	Cleans away food, drinks, sugars, and bacteria off of the teeth
•	Neutralizes the acids in your mouth that are produced by bacteria and food
•	Helps to remineralize the teeth after they have been attacked by the acid in plaque

Protecting Your Mouth after You Eat

The acid level in your mouth will rise quite dramatically after you eat, and after the effects of the saliva take place, it will begin to fall slowly. Whether you experience decay and how quickly it spreads will depend on a few factors:

•	How long food stays in your mouth. For this reason, sticky foods are bad news for the mouth, so you should be sure to rinse out your mouth with water after eating in order to give your saliva some help in clearing it away.
•	The amount of saliva that you produce. When it comes to saliva, more is always better, so chew some sugar-free gum if you need a saliva boost after eating.
•	Periods of rest between meals. If you snack frequently, the teeth will constantly be under attack, but if you only eat during mealtimes, your teeth will be able to recover in between.

Do you have questions about how to better protect your teeth? Contact our office for guidance.

Get in Touch!

PHONE
(425) 998-6998

EMAIL
bellevue@cooleysmiles.com

LOCATION
4100 Factoria Blvd SE Suite C
Bellevue, WA 98006-1262

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Cooley Smiles, 4100 Factoria Blvd SE, Suite C, Bellevue, WA 98006-1262 ~ (425) 998-6998 ~ cooleysmiles.com ~ 10/5/2024 ~ Related Terms: dental office, dental office in bellevue wa, dental clinic