Sipping and Snacking

At Caring Smiles Family Dentistry, it’s our job to remind you not only to practice good oral hygiene, but also to make smart nutrition choices. As you may know, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks, including sport and energy drinks, can damage teeth. But snacking throughout the day or “grazing” all day long can also lead to tooth decay.

When you have sugary foods many times a day or even sip on the same sugary drink throughout the day, the acid attacks your tooth enamel for an extended period of time. Repeated acid attacks cause tooth decay, which must be treated by a dentist. To reduce your risk of tooth decay, follow the tips below:

• If you have sugary foods and drinks, have them with meals.
• Limit snacks and sugary drinks between meals.
• If you chew gum, choose sugarless gum that has the ADA Seal.
• Drink water. Drinking water with fluoride can help prevent tooth decay.
• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste two times a day and floss once a day with dental products that have the ADA Seal.
• See your dentist regularly.

Almost all foods have some type of sugar so it cannot be completely removed from your diet. Many of these foods contain important nutrients and we enjoy eating them. But there is a risk for tooth decay from a diet high in sugars so read labels and plan carefully for a balanced, nutritious diet for you and your kids.

If you have any questions regarding nutrition and your oral health, feel free to contact us at (248) 973-8788. In the meantime, remember to take care of yourself and your health.

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