Diet and Oral Health
Taking good care of your teeth and keeping your smile shining bright and healthy for years to come isn’t that complicated. There are three major components for maintaining a healthy smile: First, visit our dentist in Lake Williams for regular checkups. That way, we can remove the plaque and debris that lead to cavities and gum disease. We’ll also be on the lookout for any other issues that could hurt your smile.
You also need to brush, floss, and rinse your smile with antibacterial, gum disease-fighting mouthwash twice a day. The third step to oral wellbeing is maintaining a healthy diet. A diet that’s rich in vitamins and minerals will help protect your immune system. Studies show that gum disease progresses faster in people who don’t have a well balanced diet. Minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are also important for building strong teeth.
Foods That are Good for Your Smile
Strawberries, leafy greens, crunchy fruit like celery, apples and pears, yogurt, cheese, and almonds are among the foods that are beneficial for your oral health. It’s also really important to drink a lot of water. Not only will this rinse away plaque and other debris that cause tooth decay and gum disease, it will also prevent dry mouth, a condition which makes it harder for your body to fight cavities.
Foods and Beverages That Hurt Your Smile
Sticky, Hard, and Sour Candy
You already know that sugar is bad for your teeth, but there are certain types of candy that are particularly detrimental to your smile. Sour candies perform a double whammy on your smile because they contain acid that breaks down the enamel that protects your teeth and also sugar that feeds cavity-causing bacteria. Hard and sticky candies tend to remain on your teeth for a while, which gives them more time to attack your enamel and damage your teeth.
Carbonated Soft Drinks, Sports Drinks, and Energy Drinks
Carbonated soft drinks are bad news for your smile, even if they don’t contain any sugar. That’s because they have citric acid and phosphoric acid which deplete essential minerals in your teeth. Regular soft drinks also contain a great deal of sugar. Like soda, both sports drinks and energy drinks contain acids that damage your enamel and sugar that causes tooth decay.
Protecting Smiles in Williams Lake
At Williams Lake Smiles, we’re committed to protecting your smile, so go ahead and schedule your next checkup today. You can also ask about how our cosmetic treatments and dental implants can enhance your smile. See you soon!
