Dentist 20852

Dentist 20852 | Guarding against tooth decay and gum disease can be deceptively simple, but it is not always easy. Although most people are aware of the basics of oral care, protecting your healthy smile involves willpower and diligence.

For those wanting to avoid unnecessary visits to the dental office, contact our dentist 20852  are advised to arm themselves with knowledge to keep tooth decay and periodontal disease at bay.

Avoiding Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

To begin, let’s look at what we are trying to prevent. Tooth decay and gum disease are serious conditions that can lead to expensive and complicated dental procedures. If they progress unchecked, they can even cause the loss of your teeth.

Dentist 20852 | Woman holding apple.

The main threat to your teeth and gums is the presence of sugar in your mouth. The sugar gets there through the consumption of sugary foods and beverages like simple carbohydrates and sugars. Some common foods and beverages that fall into this category include:

  • Sugary and acidic sodas
  • Chips, cake and cookies
  • Many fruit juices
  • Candy

As sugar remains in contact with your teeth, it produces something called plaque. Plaque is a film that sticks to your teeth and creates an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. Plaque produces acids that eat away at your tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. It can also irritate the gums surrounding and supporting your teeth, leading to periodontal disease. Left undetected and untreated, gum disease can eventually cause your teeth to loosen and fall out.

Eating a Balanced Diet

It is essential to eat a balanced diet so that your body has all of the nutrients available to support your teeth and gums, which includes a healthy immune system.

Two particularly important minerals for your teeth and gums are calcium and phosphorus. They are both essential in supporting healthy tooth structure. Rich food sources of phosphorus include fish, eggs, red meat, Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds. Good calcium sources include cheese, spinach, yogurt, low-fat milk, spinach and tofu.

Stay Hydrated

Water is so ubiquitous that it is easy to forget how important it is to a healthy diet, and your teeth and gums. Water makes a good alternative to sugary beverages that can harm your smile. It helps you in two ways: For one, it helps to rinse away any sugar or food debris in your mouth. Secondly, it allows your body to flush out toxins and boost your immune system.

The Bottom Line

The key takeaway is that most foods and drinks are fine in moderation. Do you remember studying the food pyramid from when you were in school? Balanced diets are the healthiest for your teeth and smile. It is okay to have an occasional indulgence. Just remember that eating a healthy diet, combined with brushing and flossing at home, is critical in maintaining a healthy, happy smile. And don’t forget to keep up with your regular dental exam and cleaning appointments.

Contact Our Dentist 20852

To receive more information about protecting your teeth and smile, reach out to our dentist 20852 today. New patients welcome.