|
You brush every day, twice a day; you floss regularly; and you visit your Portage and Kalamazoo area dentist twice a year for routine cleanings and check ups. As far as most people are concerned, you have taken all of the necessary steps for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and looking their best. What many patients forget about when it comes to practicing good oral health is their diet. The foods you consume every day have a huge impact on the health of your teeth and gums. Keep reading to learn more about how you can prevent cavities by monitoring your diet. Be Aware of Decay-Causing Foods Every time you eat, harmful bacteria in your mouth are left behind and begin to convert sugars from the foods you eat into acid. As a result, the acid begins to attack the enamel of your teeth, causing decay and increasing the risk for gum disease. Foods high in sugars and carbohydrates provide bacteria the energy to grow and reproduce. Peanut butter, caramel and other sticky foods can be especially harmful as these foods leave behind stubborn substances on the teeth and encourage plaque formation. It's not always easy to turn down your favorite desert or candy, but when possible, substitute your favorite sugary treat for fresh fruits like apples instead. Frequency of Eating Generally, each meal we eat can affect our teeth, but as long as there is enough time between eating, our teeth can repair themselves and cope with the acid before it causes damage. Allow for larger intervals between meals in order to provide more opportunity for acid to be neutralized and more time for the acid damage to be repaired. Frequent snacking provides for a constant acid attack and allows less time for tooth repair. To reduce your risk for acid attacks on the teeth:
• Avoid continuous snacking and sipping of drinks
• Allow time between meals for saliva to neutralize acids and repair the teeth
• Avoid brushing teeth immediately after consuming acidic foods, drinks, citrus fruits and juices
• Avoid eating right before bedtime Foods that Help Prevent Decay While many foods like cookies and candies can harm your teeth, other foods contain the essential nutrients to keep them healthy. Foods high in calcium, like milk, yogurt and cheese can help prevent decay and keep teeth strong, especially for growing children. Fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots help stimulate saliva flow which decreases mouth acidity and washes away food particles. And whole grains, including cereals, brown rice and whole-grain pastas, are important ingredients for keeping your gums healthy. Your Portage dentist can help you determine the best nutrition plan for promoting a healthy smile. Just as other living tissues in your body require good nutrition, your oral tissues are no exception. In addition to eating a well-balanced diet, be sure to practice good dental hygiene every day and visit your dentist in Portage or Kalamazoo regularly for routine cleanings and check ups. Ensuring your body has the right amounts of vitamins and nutrients will help keep your teeth and gums- as well as your immune system- strong so that you can ward off infection, decay and disease.
Dr. Oppenlander is a leading family and cosmetic dentist in Kalamazoo and Portage. Providing quality dental care in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere, this general dentist in Portage and Kalamazoo offers teeth whitening, implants, Lumineers and veneers among many other smile-enhancing treatments.
|
