It is possible to improve your smile care routine while addressing issues other than brushing and flossing your teeth. Of course, if you are not already, you should attend regular dental exams. During every visit with your Rochester, MN dentist’s office, you can look forward to general oral health care that will help you maintain a better smile. In between appointments, you can actually help your teeth by making smarter diet choices. During meals and snacks, you should look for ways to incorporate more nutrients, and look out for possible sources of excess sugar. In addition to making better food choices, you should also be smart about your beverage preferences.
1. Cut Back On Sticky, Sugary Snacks
Snack time can serve as a great time to boost your energy levels, or simply keep you in good spirits. If you snack at work, you may find yourself relying on the less-than-healthy choices waiting for you in the vending machine, or at a nearby fast food restaurant. Better snacks – meaning snacks that are lower in sugar, and less sticky, can help you curb your appetite without elevating your cavity risk.
2. Your Beverage Preferences Can Affect Your Risk For Cavities
Your drink options can lead to cavity trouble, particularly if you regularly drink flavored beverages. Soft drinks are acidic, which means they can soften your enamel, and they are high in sugar. Mixed alcoholic drinks can also be high in sugar, while also dehydrating you and making it harder for you to naturally protect your teeth.
Your favorite caffeinated beverages may not be a cavity risk, but you may want to watch out for stains. Coffee and tea can both leave behind particles that change the color of your smile, potentially to the point where you might feel compelled to seek a teeth whitening treatment.
3. Plan Nutrient-Rich, Varied Meals
So if you make a point to cut out sugary, sticky, starchy foods, what should you eat instead? A diet that is high in nutrients, and generally varied, can be better for your teeth, as well as your overall health. Keep in mind that calcium and fluoride can be especially beneficial for preventing tooth decay. You can find calcium in dairy products like milk, and many sources of tap water possess fluoride.
Talk To Calcagno Cosmetic And Family Dentistry To Enjoy Quality Smile Protection
Changing your diet can help you defend your smile against tooth decay. If you want to make sure your smile is healthy, limit your sugar intake, drink plenty of water, and keep up with routine dental health habits like brushing, flossing, and attending dental exams. Calcagno Cosmetic and Family Dentistry can help you protect your teeth at every checkup. To schedule a consultation, please call (507) 281-3659. Dr. Gilly Calcagno and our staff welcome and serve patients from Rochester, MN, as well as Red Wing, St. Charles, and all other surrounding communities.
