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Here at The Foleck Center, we believe that eating well and practicing good hygiene are the foundation of good overall health. However, sometimes oral health issues can be complicated and eating healthfully may not be as easy at it sounds. Here is some additional information you may not know about your diet and how it can affect the state of your dental health.
What Is Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky coating that covers your teeth and causes all kinds of problems if it is not removed. Knowing this information can help you keep plaque to a minimum and assist in preventing decay. Scientifically speaking, those plaque particles in your mouth are composed of bacteria and other acid-filled properties. After you consume food and beverages, the sugars and starches in those substances make contact with the plaque creating acids that can attack your teeth for up to 20 minutes after you finish eating. Over time, this breaks down enamel on the surface of teeth and can lead to tooth decay. Additionally, once these acids eat away the enamel on your tooth, it will be gone forever.
To minimize the damage from the things you eat and drink, we recommend using the following tips and tricks to promote a healthy mouth:
1) Eat Fiber-Filled Fruits And Veggies.
Foods that are rich in fiber help get your saliva flowing and help it to wash away dangerous particles from your teeth. Celery, carrots, and apple slices are particularly beneficial for keeping your mouth healthy and happy.
2) Chew Sugarless Gum Between Meals.
Sugar– free gum can also remove food particles from your mouth and neutralize dangerous acids that could cause decay. Try chewing between and after meals to provide the most benefits for your teeth and gums, but be sure the gum is sugar-free.
3) Get Products That Are 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.
4) Consume Dairy Products With Your Meals.
Eating dairy products has been shown to help create healthy moisture in the mouth that can assist in washing away 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.
5) Try 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.
6) Avoid The Temptation Of 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.
7) Eliminate Soda And Sugary Drinks.
Products like sports and soft drinks are very acidic thanks to tons of added sugar, phosphoric and citric acids. These additives and sweeteners can wear away tooth enamel, increase tooth decay and ultimately cause oral health problems.
8) 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!
9) Reduce Substances That Can Dry Out Your Mouth.
Some products that we use or consume can dry out oral tissues and inhibit healing. These items include alcohol, certain vitamins, and numerous types of prescription medications. To prevent dry mouth, reduce or eliminate these things and talk to your doctor about how you can switch to alternative products.
10) Stop Using Tobacco Products.
Tobacco product use can result in exponentially greater chances of tooth decay, tooth loss, and dental implant failure. This is why doctors recommend that you reduce or eliminate these products from your life. Your teeth and oral health are guaranteed to reflect the change.
Come In And See Dr. Foleck For All Your Dental Care
Patients in Norfolk and Hampton, VA have usually heard all about the many great benefits of seeing a dentist regularly. But many of these patients delay necessary treatment because of embarrassment over their missing or damaged teeth. But here at The Foleck Center we offer a wide variety of smile make-over products that can restore or perfect your teeth in just months with very little pain or cost. If you are ready to restore your smile with dental implants, call us today for your no-obligation consultation with Dr. Foleck!