If you’re currently on a diet, you know that you’re always watching the foods you eat. First, we’re happy for you! At Central Park Dentistry we’re all about leading a healthy lifestyle and your smile is a huge part of that, more so than you may know. Read on for tips on watching your waistline and smile at the same time:
- Be cautious of juices and smoothies. It’s common for juices and smoothies to be included in many diets. Although it’s a great way to get your daily fruit and vegetable intake, it can be bad for your teeth. Juices and smoothies can contain a high level of sugar and acids, which wears down the enamel and can even cause tooth sensitivity. Also, the pigmentation can cause staining on your teeth. You should consider using a straw and always rinse your mouth with water after.
- Eating snacks constantly can be tough on the mouth. Certain diets may require you to snack more often throughout your day. If this is the case, keep in mind that each time you eat something, the mouth works to restore its pH balance. When you eat more often, it’s more complicated for the mouth to battle acids and wash away debris. It can be helpful to finish each snack with something that scrubs the teeth, such as celery or carrots. Also, rising the mouth with water can be very helpful.
- Diet friendly does not always mean its tooth friendly. The number one diet-friendly item that is bad for the teeth is diet soda. We don’t recommend drinking any soda, or sugary drinks. However, if you do drink a diet soda, don’t sip on it throughout the day! Drink it, rinse your mouth with water, and then be done with it. You should be careful with dried fruits and citrus foods as well. Dried fruits can stick to the teeth, making it hard to remove, and the acidity of citrus foods can wear down the protective tooth enamel.
- Stay hydrated. When you change your diet, it can cause a decrease in saliva flow. This can especially happen with the use of dietary pills or supplements. You should drink plenty of water to compensate. On a more positive note, vitamins and minerals do complement the function of your body, and reinforce tooth enamel and help protect against infection.
When going on a diet, it’s common to not realize the effects it may have on the health of your teeth. By following each of these tips, you should be prepared to keep your mouth AND body healthy!