To Eat or Not to Eat? Food Tips from a Los Angeles Dentist

June 26, 2017

Filed under: Uncategorized — Les Latner @ 1:03 pm

When’s the last time you visited your Los Angeles dentist?

Everything you put in your mouth affects both your oral and overall health—whether it’s good or bad. Everyone knows that a healthy, balanced diet can lead to better systematic health, but very few know that a healthy diet also keeps your teeth and gums strong. Hopefully, you’ll reconsider what you choose to indulge in after reading this post about foods your Los Angeles dentist, Dr. Les Latner recommends you do and don’t eat.

Foods That Sustain a Healthy Mouth

Cheese

Acid is one of the worst substances for your teeth. Thankfully, dairy products are “base” foods, so they don’t damage the enamel of your teeth. When comparing dairy products, cheese offers the lowest amounts of acid. Even compared to other dairy products like sugar-free yogurts or a glass of milk, cheese still has the lowest level of acid while maintaining a great source of calcium! Teeth are composed of mostly phosphorus, calcium, and other minerals. Calcium is great because it keeps your bones strong and healthy—even the ones in your mouth!

Crunchy Produce

The density of your jawbone plays a huge role in maintaining exceptional oral health. It also helps to keep a youthful facial appearance. Chewing crunchy vegetables and fruits can help you increase your jawbones strength. Plus, all the chewing isn’t just for your jawbone density, crunchy substances also disturb plaque from settling and serve as a natural cleaning mechanism. Not to mention, fruits and vegetables give your whole body—beyond your mouth—the vitamins and nutrients it needs to stay strong over the years.

Berries and Tea

Polyphenol, a micronutrient, is amazing for every aspect of your body—even your teeth! Polyphenol naturally generates energy for our bodies and helps the mouth stay clean. A naturally cleaner mouth helps reduce the chances of developing tooth decay or cavities. Studies have shown that people that swish their mouth with black tea containing polyphenol had less plaque build-up than those who swished their mouths with just water. One thing to remember about berries and tea is that these foods do contain dark liquids that stain your teeth with excessive use. So, the best recommendation that we can give is to keep a healthy balanced diet.

Foods That Damage Your Teeth and Gums

Chewy Candies

Sticky candies and foods are horrible for your teeth—they can even cause you to lose your restorations and dental prosthetics. Sticky foods are an easy route to dental emergencies! Taffies stick to and in between your teeth for a long time. The sugar build-up will deteriorate your teeth and build bacteria in your mouth. Dr. Latner doesn’t recommend you have them at all, especially when a ripe piece of fruit is just as sweet and so much healthier!

Sodas

Did you know that drinking a 20oz soda is equivalent to consuming 15 to 18 teaspoons of sugar? Imagine what that’s doing to your body and especially your teeth. Drinking too much can turn your mouth into a breeding ground for cavities. Not only that, but dark sodas have staining properties that will discolor your teeth over time.

Visit Westside Dental Associates!

Our comprehensive dentist, Dr. Latner, is here help to you maintain optimal health—both for your body and mouth. If most of this information is new to you and your oral health has been suffering from counterproductive foods, we have the services you need to restore your smile’s health. Westside Dental Associates is here to help you with preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.

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