The more you learn about dental health, the more likely you are to learn some scary facts about your teeth and what could be happening to them. And as frightening as they can be to think about, they can be a good way to remind yourself why regular brushing and seeing the dentist are so important. In the spirit of Halloween, here are some frightening dental facts you may not have known. 1. Some Sour Candy is Almost as Acidic as Battery Acid Eating too much sour candy can have a devastating effect on your smile because of its acidity. Anything with a pH level lower than 4 can eat away at the enamel protecting your teeth. The acidity of sour candy is usually between 3 and 1.6. For comparison, battery acid has a pH of 1. Needless to say, it’s best for your teeth if you eat sour candy sparingly. 2. You Probably Aren’t Brushing Your Teeth Nearly as Long as You Should Most dentists recommend brushing your teeth for at least two minutes at a time. Chances are, though, that you’ve been falling far short of that. On average, most people only brush for 48 seconds during a single brushing session. That means that you’re probably missing quite a few spots in your mouth without realizing it – and that’s giving harmful oral bacteria a chance to do all kinds of damage. 3. A Quarter of Adults Over the Age of 65 Have Lost All Their Teeth The older you are, the more likely you are to lose your teeth. In the worst-case scenario, all of your teeth could fall out, forcing you to rely on dentures to speak and eat. What makes this particularly scary, though, is that this isn’t a natural part of the aging process. If your teeth fall out, it’s most likely due to some sort of oral health problem, such as gum disease. 4. Ignoring Your Teeth Could Lead to a Deadly Abscess If a decayed or infected tooth isn’t treated in time, it could become abscessed. An abscess is a painful collection of pus that can form around the roots of your tooth. When left alone for too long, abscesses can eventually cause infection to spread through the rest of your body, which can be life-threatening. How to Protect Yourself from Dental Scares With the right care at home and from your dentist, you can prevent anything too scary from happening to your smile. Some basic steps you can take to avoid oral health frights include: • Brushing thoroughly at least two times every day. • Flossing on a daily basis. • Keeping consumption of acidic or sugary foods to a minimum. • Scheduling at least two preventive dental checkups every year. • Calling your dentist as soon as you realize you have a toothache or another dental problem. With the right kind of care, you can keep your smile safe through Halloween and the rest of the year. Remember, your dentist can always offer you suggestions for ways you can improve your oral health if you still have concerns.
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