Did you know that good oral health is linked to your diet? Milestone Orthodontics in West Orange say to prevent cavities and maintain good oral health examine your diet — what you eat and how often you eat — are important factors. Dr. Milestone says changes in your mouth start the minute you eat certain foods. Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars and carbohydrates from the foods you eat to acids, and it’s the acids that begin to attack the enamel on teeth, starting the decay process. Dr. Milestone warns the more often you eat and snack, the more frequently you are exposing your teeth to the cycle of decay or cavities.
Milestone Orthodontics recommends certain foods that will keep your mouth healthy. The best food choices for the health of your mouth include cheeses, chicken or other meats, nuts, and milk. These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited in tooth enamel after being removed by acids).
Other food choices that Milestone Orthodontics includes are firm/crunchy fruits (for example, apples and pears) and vegetables. Dr. Milestone tells us that these foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain, and stimulate the flow of saliva (which helps protect against decay by washing away food particles and buffering acid). All of the food items are available in or near West Orange. Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and lemons, should be eaten as part of a larger meal to minimize the acid from them.
Milestone Orthodontics says it is common sense that some poor food choices include candy — such as lollipops, hard candies, and mints — cookies, cakes, pies, breads, muffins, potato chips, pretzels, french fries, bananas, raisins, and other dried fruits. Dr. Milestone warns that these foods contain large amounts of sugar and/or can stick to teeth, providing a fuel source for bacteria. In addition, cough drops should be used only when necessary as they, like sugary candy, contribute to tooth decay.
If you’re looking for good beverage choices, the best choice is water (especially fluoridated water). Dr. Milestone says milk, and unsweetened tea are also good but Limit your consumption of sugar-containing drinks, including soft drinks, lemonade, and coffee or tea with added sugar. Milestone Orthodontics recommends limiting your expose of sugary substances to your teeth.
The team at Milestone Orthodontics is always available to answer any questions regarding your oral health. Contact us at our West Orange office to get the best oral advice. We work hard on giving you the best smile!
Source: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/diet-oral-health
