Q: I know sugar’s not good for teeth. What foods are generally good for dental health?
A: You’re right about the sugar. Your mouth is full of bacteria that naturally occur there. The bacteria love sugar — and starch. And when your teeth are not thoroughly clean, the bacteria eat the sugar and starch that form a film on your teeth — the plaque. The byproduct of their eating is acid that can eat through the enamel. That’s decay.
It’s hard to avoid sugar entirely, and you don’t have to. Fruit, milk, bread, cereals, and vegetables all contain sugar. But avoid sugary snacks. The American Dental Association estimates each sugary snack results in an acid attack on your teeth of 20 minutes or more.
If you feel the urge for a snack, reach for fruit, nuts, seeds raw vegetables, plain yogurt, popcorn, dill pickles and olives. Sugar and starches eaten as part of a meal are less harmful than when eaten alone. During a meal, your mouth is producing substantial saliva, which helps wash away food particles.
Avoid things like cake, chips, cookies, and crackers when you’re eating them by themselves. In general, eat a balanced diet, including the FDA recommended portions of bread and grain, fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry and fish, and dairy — milk, cheese, and yogurt. Ask your dentist for more information on healthy eating habits.
If you, your family or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!
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