As soon as you consume a cookie, apple, or cracker, the bacteria in your mouth begins to create acids. While all foods and beverages can potentially lead to tooth decay, certain types have more detrimental effects than others. To promote strong, healthy smiles in the Lexington, KY, community, the caring family dentists from Ed Struss Family Dentistry explain what to know about the link between nutrition and oral health.

Eating for Oral Health: Your Local Family Dentists Explain

How Food Affects Enamel

The bacteria in your mouth reacts with the foods you eat to form acids. Over time, these eat away at the enamel, leading to decay, cavities, and even tooth loss. Carbohydrates create the highest concentration of acids because they break down into simple sugars in the mouth. So when your family dentist warns you against consuming excessive cakes, soft drinks, and candy, it’s to help prevent enamel erosion due to acid production. Sugary, sweet foods aren’t the only ones to blame for decay, however. Excessive consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods like bread, granola bars, and even bananas can likewise lead to cavities.

The longer the food stays on your teeth, the more acids it will produce with help from bacteria. Drinking a glass of water or chewing a piece of sugar-free gum after you eat can help curb the detrimental effects of carbohydrate consumption by removing some of the food particles in the mouth. You can also brush your teeth about 15 minutes after consuming a meal.

What to Eat for Strong, Healthy Teeth

Fortunately, some foods actually help protect your teeth against decay. For example, munching on aged cheese after consuming a cracker helps neutralize the acids in the mouth. Vegetables like dark greens, carrots, and zucchini can promote saliva flow, re-mineralize your teeth, and neutralize aids. If you crave something sweet, reach for fruits, which contain much less sugar than your average candy bar. Lean fish, beans, nuts, and seeds can likewise promote a bright, healthy smile.

To prevent serious dental issues down the road, simply take care of your teeth today. By consuming a healthy diet and visiting your family dentist for regular cleanings, you’re already halfway to an enduring smile. At Ed Struss Family Dentistry, the friendly dentists help patients of all ages receive the expert oral care and education they deserve. To learn about their general and cosmetic dentistry services, visit the practice online. You can also call them today at (859) 278-7434.