Maintaining a healthy smile is about more than simply brushing and flossing your teeth daily. The truth is that the foods and drinks that you consume every day have a big impact on your smile. These foods come into contact with your dental enamel and affect how your teeth look and feel. Here is some more information to consider from our Novato Family Dentist.
Many foods that are good for you can weaken your dental enamel:
Most of the time, when patients think about foods that can affect their teeth, they think about sugary snacks and desserts. However, foods that help your overall health, like fruits and juices, are often quite acidic. High acid content weakens dental enamel.
But don’t worry! You don’t have to give up on these foods and drinks—just rinse your mouth with water, or clean your teeth about a half hour after consuming these substances, in order to minimize dental effects.
Think about not only what you are eating, but when you are eating:
Whenever you consume food, they feed oral bacteria for about a half hour before the bacteria are neutralized. So that means if you snack continually throughout the day, you will likely experience more plaque build up than you would if you just ate three square meals.
If you happen to be a snack-lover, there are simple steps that you can take to minimize dental erosion. Make an effort to rinse your mouth with some water, or even brush your teeth, after you eat.
Please Contact Us for More Information
You’ll be surprised at how being aware of your eating habits can maximize your oral health. To learn more about how lifestyle choices affect your smile, feel free to call the Novato Family Dentist. We will be happy to give you all of the information you need to discover your healthiest, most beautiful smile!