Just like brushing and flossing, your diet plays a major role in the state of your oral health. Your mouth needs vitamins, minerals, and protein to stay healthy. Eat a balanced diet with whole fruit, vegetables (especially leafy greens), fiber, whole grains, and lean protein. Additionally, there are certain foods you should minimize to maintain a healthy smile.

SUGAR & SIMPLE CARBOHYDRATES

Sugar feeds bad bacteria in the mouth. When the bacteria in plaque consume sugar, they release harmful acids that erode your tooth enamel, which can lead to sensitivity, decay, cavities, and eventual tooth loss. It’s best to limit candy, pastries, baked goods, fruit juice, and soda. Additionally, choose whole-grain or multigrain alternatives whenever possible instead of white bread, white rice, white pasta, and crackers.

TEA & COFFEE

You may rely on coffee or tea for a caffeine boost during your day. However, both beverages contain dark pigments that can stain your teeth yellow or brown. Many coffee beverages are also high in added sugar, which increases your risk of developing cavities.

COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY IN NEVADA, MO

In addition to consuming a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water, you should brush your teeth twice a day, floss every day, avoid tobacco products, and visit your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups!

At Advanced Dentistry of Nevada, MO, we offer comprehensive dental services to cater to patients of all ages with all types of smiles. For example, we can provide twice-yearly cleanings and examinations for your family, restore your smile with dental implants if you are missing teeth, enhance your smile’s appearance with professional teeth whitening or dental veneers, and more! We also offer multiple payment options to make our services affordable.

Please contact us today to schedule an appointment! Our office is open Mondays through Thursdays from 7 AM to 3 PM.