How Changing Your Diet Can Improve Your Oral Health

Dentist Blog

The things you eat and drink every day impact your oral health. Your overall oral health can be influenced by what types of food you eat, when you eat it and how much you eat.

Below is a guide to some dietary changes you can make to improve your oral health.

Limit snacking between meals

When people snack throughout the day, their mouths are in constant contact with sugars that gradually wear away at the tooth enamel. Instead of snacking between meals, try drinking water or chewing sugarless gum to help remove plaque and stimulate saliva production in order to keep bacteria levels down.

Use a straw when drinking sugary drinks

If you must drink soda or fruit juice, there are steps you can take to protect your teeth. For example, sipping sugary drinks through a straw helps to keep the sugars away from your teeth. This is especially important if you cannot brush your teeth after drinking something sweet and sugary.

Avoid sticky and crunchy foods

Sticky and crunchy foods can get caught between your teeth and around your gums, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. Try to eat soft and chewy foods instead. These are easier to consume and less likely to cause damage to your teeth and gums.

Choose low-sugar options

When choosing foods, choose ones that are low in sugar. Many companies now offer reduced sugar options of popular drinks and snacks. These are a great way of enjoying a treat without putting your dental health at risk.

Eat calcium-rich foods

Calcium plays a key role in promoting the development of healthy teeth and bones, as it helps build the tooth enamel and bone structure. Sources of calcium include products such as yoghurt, milk and cheese as well as dark green vegetables such as kale and broccoli.

Drink fluoridated water

Fluoride is an essential mineral. This mineral helps to prevent decay by strengthening tooth enamel. You can find it in bottled waters. Many types of toothpaste also contain fluoride to help support your teeth. If you do not have any access to fluoridated water or if you prefer not to use fluoridated toothpaste, consider using a fluoride rinse instead.

If you would like to find out more, you should get in touch with a local dental clinic. A dentist will be able to offer you further help and advice regarding various dental care methods and techniques.

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15 December 2021

Unraveling Dental Myths about Children: A Blog for Parents

When I had my first child, I was a nervous wreck. Every book I read gave different advice, and I just wanted to be right! By the time I had my third child, some of the stress had abated. I now realised, there were tons of different perspectives on everything related to raising children including dentistry. To help parents, I have created this blog dedicated to unraveling dental myths about children. I am including posts that weigh both sides of issues such as thumb sucking, dental caries, breastfeeding, flossing and any other topic I can think of. I hope you find the information you need to unravel dental myths, but most importantly, I hope you find some peace of mind. With kids and dentistry, there can be more than one right answer, and I want you to be able to relax and go with the answer that's right for you.