Prevention is always the best medicine, especially when it comes to your oral health. Improper dental care can erode enamel and cause plaque, tooth decay, gum disease, tartar buildup, and cavities. The experienced and local dentists at Schaible Dental Group in St. Peters, MO, specialize in restorative and cosmetic dental care. Here, they have a few tips on how you can eat healthy to avoid an expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes uncomfortable fix to dental problems. 

Hungry? The Best & Worst Foods for Dental Care

The 3 Worst Foods & Beverages for Healthy Teeth

Dentists commonly warn against consuming too much sugar, but there are a few other foods and drinks you should avoid or east with caution for preventative measures. These include:

• Citric Foods: Fruit like oranges and lemons have acid in them that can erode your enamel over time, leaving your teeth less protected and more susceptible to tooth decay.
• Sour or Chewy Candy: Candy like taffy and caramels can stick to your teeth long after you’ve finished eating it. This allows bacteria to multiply and degrade your oral health. If you have a sugar craving, reach for a square of dark chocolate instead.
• Carbonated Sodas: These drinks will dry out your mouth, discolor your teeth, and can even enable plaque to build faster. If you love sodas, opt to drink them during meals to help neutralize the acid.

3 Best Foods & Beverages for Healthy Dental Care

Most people have heard about foods and beverages they should avoid, but there are actually some that are beneficial to your oral health, including:

• Strawberries: This fruit is a natural enamel whitener, especially if you crush and mix it with baking soda and gently apply it to your teeth with a toothbrush. Simply rinse the paste off after five minutes and you have an at-home teeth whitening routine!
• Sugarless Gum: This is a great trick to stimulate your saliva, because your body thinks your are chewing and your digestive process begins. Saliva helps keep your teeth clean, and sugarless gum has the added benefit of having the sweetening agent xylitol (an alcohol) that reduces bacteria as you chew.
• Dairy: It’s no secret that milk can help prevent gum disease and that the calcium in milk helps strengthen your teeth and jawbone. Plus, the proteins in the milk form a protective layer over your enamel that fights tooth decay.

Preventative dental care measures are the best ways to protect your teeth, but if you are experiencing tooth decay, painful chewing, or cavities, call (636) 279-1633 to speak with the experts at Schaible Dental Group. They offer convenient locations in St. Louis and St. Peters with relaxed, comfortable atmospheres. Visit their website to learn more about the area’s most trusted dentists.