How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop? If you care at all about your teeth you won’t try to find out. Sucking on a hard piece of candy for any length of time exposes your teeth to way too much sugar and then when you get to the piece of gooey chocolate underneath – well, that’s just a double whammy.
You may be seriously dedicated to taking care of your teeth by brushing and flossing as you should and seeing your dentist and hygienist at regularly scheduled intervals but there’s one aspect that you may have overlooked. Diet is a big factor in the maintenance of your oral health.
We know by now that sugary and acidic foods and drinks are the bad guys and that those foods that contain calcium and vitamin D are the heroes when it comes to our dental health. There are some foods on a list for either side however, that may surprise you.
Oranges are acidic it’s true, but the vitamin C in oranges works to reduce the redness and swelling of gum disease. You can prevent the ill effects by rinsing with sparkling water.
It’s not the chewing that hurts your teeth it’s the sugar in the gum that you are chewing. In fact, the basic act of chewing encourages the production of your saliva which helps to wash away harmful bacteria. Dentists often recommend sugarless gum to patients who suffer from chronic dry mouth.
Make your next appointment with Stonegate Dental today. Call 720-851-7069 in Parker, CO.
