According to the American Dental Association (ADA), your oral health is sometimes the first to feel the impact of a bad diet. When you eat sweets and carbohydrates, the bacteria in your mouth converts the sugar in those foods into acid. Acid erodes enamel, causing tooth sensitivity, decay and, eventually, cavities.
Knowing what to eat for optimal oral health is important but when you eat is key too. Candies and cough drops stay in your mouth for much longer than easily chewed foods and will result in more damage. Similarly, munching all day on carb-loaded and sugar-heavy snacks exposes your teeth to more acid throughout the day. We recommend you eat these foods during your regular meals and rinse your mouth after snacking.
What to Avoid
Limit your consumption of these items:
Substitute sugar-laden drinks such as soda and lemonade with unsweetened tea, coffee, milk, orange juice (fortified with vitamin D and calcium) and, of course, water.
What to Add
A wholesome diet consists of a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, legumes and whole grains. Calcium-rich foods are at the top of the list for better oral health. Think beyond milk—cheese, plain yogurt, nuts and even leafy greens all contain calcium. Dairy products and nuts will also provide protein, which will help you to stave off hunger.
Finally, here’s a tip to help you freshen your breath and clean your teeth with no toothbrush around. Have an apple! Though they’re not a substitute for regular brushing and flossing, crunchy foods help to remove plaque and stimulate saliva production, which, in turn, will help to wash away acid. Carrots and celery work well for this too and are also low in calories.
Trick or treat! Yes, the day is here: Halloween, the enemy of dentists everywhere. Or is it?
As your dentist, Dr. Roberts has some opinions about Halloween. We want you to teach your kids about moderation, healthy choices, “everyday” foods and “sometimes” foods. We would never advocate an entirely sugar-free existence for most children. Restricting access to candy only serves to make it that much more attractive. What we do recommend is teaching children about making good choices.
Here are some tips for a healthy Halloween:
Halloween is one day out of the year, and a little indulgence isn’t going to derail an entire year’s work. Make healthy choices part of your lifestyle, and allow your children (and yourself) occasional treats. Focus on responsible choices and moderation, and your kids will grow up with some valuable life skills!
The possible link between gum health and heart health has been researched and debated for many years. While there is no proven link between gum disease and heart disease, there is much anecdotal evidence that the two diseases often strike the same people.
Many cardiologist point to the mouth as a “warning signpost.” This is because the risk factors that can lead to periodontitis, such as smoking, age, and diabetes, can also lead to heart disease. This does not mean one causes the other, but it does mean a person with serious gum disease may also be at risk of heart disease, and vice versa.
If you know you have or are at risk of heart disease, be sure to tell your dental professional so we can be on the lookout for periodontal disease. Likewise, if you come to us with a periodontal problem, we may encourage you to talk to your doctor about your heart health. At Dr. Roberts Family Dentistry, we’re concerned not just with your oral health but with your whole health; we believe healthy teeth and gums are a major contributor to a healthy lifestyle in general.
Risk factors of both heart and gum disease include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, and inactive lifestyle. Addressing these risk factors and making efforts to live an active, healthy lifestyle will lower your risk of heart disease and gum disease, and will generally improve your quality of life.
If you have diabetes, you know that high blood pressure can have devastating effects on your entire body. Your teeth and gums are no exception, but with diligent care and hygiene, you have the power to control your oral health the same way you control other aspects of your diabetes. Prevention is the best cure for gum disease associated with diabetes.
Be sure to inform the dental professionals in our office if you have diabetes, so we can tailor your care to your particular needs. Scheduling regular cleanings, taking care to brush twice a day and floss daily, committing to managing your blood sugar levels, and not smoking are all keys to preventing serious periodontal problems.
The trained professionals at Dr. Roberts Family Dentistry are happy to answer any questions you may have about your diabetes and how it might affect your teeth and gums.
During pregnancy, hormones (in particular the increased estrogen and progesterone) can cause unexpected changes to your teeth and gums. These increased hormones can make your gums particularly vulnerable to plaque, easily leading to periodontal disease such as gingivitis.
It’s especially important to maintain good oral hygiene throughout your pregnancy. The professionals at Dr. Roberts Family Dentistry are trained to recognize and treat early signs of periodontal disease in pregnant women, so it’s in your best interest to visit the dentist early in your pregnancy and inform the office that you’re expecting. Regular exams and cleanings pose no health risk to your unborn baby, but the bacteria found in gingivitis have been linked to pre-term delivery and low birth weight.
Let your dental professionals work with you to focus on your dental health needs as part of your overall prenatal health plan.
The most important habit you can cultivate to keep your teeth and gums healthy is to brush and floss every day. Brush for at least 2 minutes, at least twice a day, and floss between each and every tooth once daily.
Choosing a toothbrush
Always look for toothbrushes, pastes, and flosses with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance; these products have been evaluated by an independent body of scientific experts on behalf of the ADA, so you can be sure they’re safe and effective.
Choose a soft-bristled brush; hard bristles can aggravate and damage your gums and tooth enamel. Also be sure you’ve chosen a brush that’s the proper size and shape for your mouth. A brush that is too big or too small won’t reach everywhere in your mouth that plaque hides.
Best brushing practices
The American Dental Association suggests brushing at a 45 degree angle, in short, gentle strokes:
Finally, be sure to finish up your brushing routine with floss, which cleans in between your teeth where no brush can reach.
Don’t forget your regular check-up
An equally important habit, of course, is regular professional dental care. We encourage our patients to visit once every 6 months for a check-up and cleaning.
