Choosing Foods that Fight Decay
Brushing and flossing to control plaque buildup should be your first plan of protection against tooth decay. Along with your homecare regimen, you should maintain a close relationship with your Saint Charles MO dentist for regular preventive dental care.
Did you know that the foods that you eat can also help to protect you against plaque and cavities? Some foods are more likely to cause dental problems, and some are more helpful in preventing them. Take a look at some of the more dental-friendly choices:
- Sugar-free chewing gum. Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes helps to stimulate your salivary flow and wash away particles of food. The increase in saliva is an extremely effective way to neutralize plaque acids and stop the demineralization that causes cavities.
- Unsweetened dairy products. Cheese is another way to stimulate the flow of saliva, but it also contains calcium and phosphates that can remineralize your enamel. In addition to cheese, milk, plain yogurt, and other dairy selections can provide a similar level of protection.
- Green and black teas. The polyphenols found in certain teas have been found to kill or inactivate harmful bacteria in the mouth. In fact, polyphenols even prevent bacteria from growing or releasing toxic plaque acids.
- Fluoridated water. Drinking water that contains fluoride, or any other food or drink made with fluoridated water, can help to strengthen your teeth. This includes drink mixes, soups, and even baby formula. Of course, you will need to check for added sugars and other sweeteners that could derail your efforts.
The responsibility to protect your teeth may be a big one, but it shouldn’t be a tough one. Making small changes in your diet could prove to be beneficial to your dental health as well as your overall health. To find out how you’re doing in your fight against cavities, call to schedule a checkup with your dentist in Saint Charles MO today.