The holidays are upon us! With them comes a plethora of opportunities for sweets and other goodies. Unfortunately, most of these things can be bad news for your teeth.
To combat the effects of these foods and drinks, remember two things: first, eat smart; second, be vigilant in your oral hygiene routines.
By “eat smart,” we don’t mean “never eat treats.” Just understand how to eat treats while minimizing the negative effects on you teeth and gums. When you eat treats, don’t snack on them throughout the day. Eat a treat, then be done for a while.
Limit the amount of sugary and acidic food and drink you consume. Sugars feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay, and acid can wear away tooth enamel and cause cavities, tooth decay, and other dental emergencies.
A note about hygiene: the acids in food and drink make your enamel more sensitive to abrasion. Brushing teeth is inherently abrasive and should be avoided right after eating (unless otherwise instructed by your dentist). Try chewing a piece of sugarless gum for 20 minutes after eating, to stimulate saliva flow that cleans teeth. Then brush thoroughly as soon as you can–at least twice a day for 2 minutes each time. Remember to floss once a day, as well.
For more information, call Sean T. Ky in Pasadena, California, at 626-792-0448. Dr. Sean Ky and our team want to help make your smile shine!
