There’s nothing quite like enjoying a cold, creamy scoop of ice cream—or a waffle cone if you prefer—on a hot summer day. But while your taste buds may be celebrating, your teeth might not be very excited. Like many sweet treats, ice cream can take a toll on your dental health if you’re not careful. Here’s what you need to know about how this beloved dessert can affect your smile, and some tips from your trusted dentist for enjoying it more responsibly!
How Does Ice Cream Impact My Dental Health?
The simple answer here is that ice cream contains large amounts of sugar—and sugar is the number one trigger when it comes to the formation of tooth decay and cavities. The bad bacteria inside your mouth require sugars and other refined carbohydrates to survive; when they find sugars to eat, they turn them into an acid that, in turn, eats away at your enamel, which is the outermost layer of your teeth. When the enamel becomes compromised, bacteria can make their way deeper into the tooth, forming a cavity and creating a worsening snowball effect.
Tips for Enjoying Ice Cream without Harming Your Smile
Preventing tooth decay is quite simple if you take the right steps—and better yet, if you’re careful, you should still be able to enjoy ice cream! Keep the following tips in mind:
- Whenever you’re finished with your ice cream, wait about thirty minutes and then brush your teeth; brushing right away isn’t wise, since your enamel will be weakened from the first contact of the sugar particles.
- If you don’t have a toothbrush handy after eating ice cream, you can instead rinse with water or mouthwash to remove the remaining sugar from your teeth.
- Even though ice cream is tastier with all the right fixings, you should try to limit the toppings on your dessert. Things like caramel, chocolate syrup, or anything else sugary or sticky will only make the effect on your enamel worse.
In addition to these tips, also aim to enjoy ice cream in moderation—even though it technically has calcium, which can help your teeth, it certainly isn’t something you should be enjoying with every meal! And if your ice cream habit has gotten the best of you and you’ve identified signs of tooth decay, don’t hesitate to speak with your dentist; things won’t improve on their own.
About the Practice
Dr. Joseph Costa and our talented team have been assisting patients in Worcester and the surrounding area for several years, offering a wide range of services, including preventive treatments for the whole family. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to schedule an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 755-1980.