Protecting Your Teeth from Sugar
You’ve heard that you are what you eat, but did you know that what you eat can affect the health of your teeth? The most common form of dental damage is the development of cavities, which are caused by sugar build-ups in your mouth. If not properly attended to, sugar build-up can erode enamel, promote gum disease and tooth decay, and cause other dental health problems. If you want to keep your smile at its best for as long as possible without paying for expensive cosmetic dentistry procedures, here are some dietary tips that will help.
Almost all of our food contains sugar, but there are several types that contain more than others. You should avoid consuming the following food and drink as much as possible to help keep your teeth pearly white:
- Sticky foods, such as honey, caramel, syrup, and jelly beans;
- Sugary desserts, including pastries, cookies, candies, cakes, pies, etc.; and
- Carbonated drinks, which includes all diet sodas as well as regular.
As stated in our post about home teeth whitening tips, be sure to eat plenty of apples, carrots, celery, and pears. These fruits and vegetables stimulate extra saliva in your mouth as you chew, which in turn helps wash away sugar build-up as well as removes stains.
And of course, in addition to your diet, regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleaning appointments will also help you avoid costly cosmetic dental procedures. If you haven’t had your teeth cleaned in awhile or want some one-on-one advice for cosmetic dentistry prevention, contact our office today.