We often hear the phrase “you are what you eat” when patients are trying to stick to a healthy diet. Here at Chaffin Dental Care, we believe that good health and eating properly are the foundation of good overall health. However, although they may understand eating healthfully, many patients fail to understand that some foods can also be damaging for your teeth and gums. Here is some additional information about your diet and how it can affect your oral health.
What Makes That Pesky Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky, sometimes thick, nearly invisible coating that covers teeth and can create an oral health nightmare. In reality, it is easy to keep plaque to a minimum if we can understand what it is made of, how it is formed and how it can impact our teeth. Scientifically speaking, plaque is composed of bacteria and other acidic materials. After consuming food or beverages, sugars and starches contact the plaque making acids that attack teeth for nearly 20 minutes after you eat. And once these acids eat away your tooth enamel, it is gone forever. Over time, this breaks down enamel on the surface of teeth and can lead to tooth decay.
To minimize the damage of foods and promote a healthy mouth, we recommend using the following tips and tricks:
Chew Sugarless Gum.
A moist mouth is a healthy mouth, so keep your saliva at a good level by chewing gum. A good sugar-free product can remove food particles from your mouth and neutralize dangerous acids that could cause decay. Get your chewing done between and after meals to provide the most benefits to your teeth and gums.
Consume Dairy Products.
Eating low-fat dairy products help create healthy moisture in the mouth that can assist in washing away high levels of plaque, bacteria, and food particles. The calcium in dairy products also helps restore minerals your teeth might have been lost due to the consumption of other foods. Milk, cheese, and yogurt are helpful for creating healthy oral tissues.
Try Foods Rich In Fluoride.
Good levels of fluoride-rich products can help keep teeth cavity-free. Powdered juices, dehydrated soups, poultry products, seafood, and powdered cereals give healthy doses of fluoride that are good for teeth. Mouthwash and toothpaste with fluoride are also highly recommended.
Stick To Fiber-Rich Fruits And Vegetables.
Foods rich in fiber help get saliva flowing and allow it to wash away dangerous particles. Try celery and carrots or apple slices to help keep your mouth healthy.
Sip Green And Black Teas.
Green and black teas contain polyphenols that can help reduce plaque and bacteria. These beverages also neutralize acidic pH in the mouth, which strengthens teeth and reduces the chances of cavities. Try a sugar-free green tea or a low calorie black tea beverage for clean and healthy teeth.
Avoid Sweets.
Everyone knows that sweets can be bad for your health. Additionally, things like lollipops, fruits snacks, taffy, candy and cough drops contain large amounts of refined sugar that can easily stick to your teeth. Avoid consumption of these foods to reduce the chances of tooth decay.
Eliminate Soda And Sugary Drinks.
Products like sports and soft drinks are very acidic thanks to tons of added sugar, phosphoric and citric acids. This additives and sweeteners can wear away tooth enamel, increase tooth decay and ultimately cause oral health problems. So cut back on these products for better oral health.
Reduce Substances That Can Dry Out Your Mouth.
Some products can do damage to your mouth by drying out oral tissues. These items include tobacco products, alcohol, vitamins and prescription medications. Reduce or eliminate these things to get better oral health. Talk to your doctor about medicines that can dry out your mouth and how you can switch to alternative ones.
Be Careful With Starchy Products That Can Stick To Teeth.
Baked goods like soft white bread, potato chips, and sticky pastas can get trapped between your teeth and create decay. So avoid these products if you want to have better teeth and avoid extra time in the dental chair!
Come In And See Dr. Chaffin For All Your Dental Care
Patients in Spokane, WA know all about the wonderful benefits of seeing a dentist regularly. But many patients delay treatment because of embarrassment over missing teeth. But here at Chaffin Dental Care we offer an array of smile make-over products that can restore or perfect your teeth in just months with very little pain or cost. Dental implants are just one great product we offer. Call us today for your no-obligation consultation with Dr. Chaffin!