One More Reason to Eat Your Veggies!

In between dental visits there are important things you can do at home to keep your mouth in tip top shape. Next to brushing well, flossing, using mouthwash and not grinding your teeth, your diet plays a very important part in your oral health.

Foods that cause the most havoc with your teeth are the usual culprits, like sugar and starches. The bacteria living in your mouth converts these to acids that harm your teeth.

No, you don’t have to give up your favorite candy or potato chips, but if you like to indulge then one of the best things you can do for your teeth is to rinse well with water afterwards.

Most people don’t brush after snacking, and that’s not necessarily bad, as long as you rinse your teeth, because sometimes brushing right after a meal can actually wear the enamel down if you have eaten foods that produce acids (like sugar and starch).

A healthy diet overall will go far in protecting your teeth as well as your body:

– Rinsing with water after eating sugary fruits and even replacing them with low-sugar fruits like berries and apples reduces plaque (just rinse the tiny seeds that might be left behind in between your teeth)
– Eating cheese with your fruit coats the teeth and protects against the bacterial acids by releasing calcium
– Indulging in crisp vegetables like celery and carrots removes plaque from your teeth
– Eating leafy greens with folic acid supports oral health
– Replacing sugary sodas with plain water will keep the plaque down

These are just a few easy, simple things you can do to protect your precious teeth and gums in between visits for dental cleanings. Feel free to contact us any time you have questions or concerns about your oral health. We can be reached at 505-898-8063.