Food Choices And Oral Health
There is a popular saying, you are what you eat. While the saying typically refers to the food that you eat and the effect on your body, the saying also applies to what happens with your oral health when you consume certain foods. Patients with a high level of sugar in their diets are more prone to developing tooth decay than other patients with a healthy diet. Summer is a time when more sugary treats and beverages are typically consumed than other times of the year. We want to share the importance of being mindful of what you eat.
Eat at Set Meal Times
Aside from consuming too much sugar, one of the worst things you can do for your teeth is snacking and grazing on food all day long. Another bad habit is sipping on sugary drinks, such as soft drinks, throughout the day. Every time we eat, food particles and bacteria are left on and between our teeth, eventually turning into plaque. Drinking water, along with your saliva, will help, but when you snack and eat constantly, you are greatly increasing your risk of decay.
Never Too Late to Change
If you realize that you and your family have poor eating habits, there is always time to change and make improvements. Changing one small aspect at a time will eventually lead to a large change. It is not wise to completely change everything at once. For most people, it is not realistic to complete a major switch of eating habits all at once. For example, if you drink soft drinks frequently throughout the day, try switching over to a flavored seltzer or sparkling water. After a period of time, you can make an adjustment again and switch to water flavored with fruit such as lemon.
If you are a frequent snacker and it has been some time since your last oral hygiene examination and cleaning, there is no better time to schedule an appointment at our office located in Canandaigua, NY. We would be happy to see you and evaluate the state of your oral health. We look forward to seeing you soon!
