Your typical meal and snack choices may make it difficult for you to maintain a healthy, cavity-free smile, even as you put time and effort into cleaning your teeth each day. A diet that features higher amounts of sugar provides more food for the oral bacteria that cause damage to dental enamel. By feeding these microbes more of what they want, you create more risk for your teeth as they release acids that cause enamel to erode. Fortunately, people are often able to make smart changes with less effort than they realize, which can cut down on your risk for problems that demand restorative dental work in the future. As important as daily choices are, remember to take advantage of professional dental care, too. At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we are ready to help your family maintain lovely smiles by providing consistent dental exams and cleanings.
You May Not Realize How Much Sugar You Consume On A Normal Day
Unsure how harmful or helpful your current diet is? Start checking the nutrition labels of your go-to foods and drinks and calculate how much sugar you enjoy on a typical day. If the number feels high, look for substitutions that feature lower amounts of sugar, or try to replace less healthy items with meals, snacks, and beverages that are more nutritious.
The Benefit For Choosing Water Over Flavored Beverages
You may be consuming more sugar through beverages than you realize. Soft drinks are just one example of a sweetened beverage that can make you more susceptible to decay. In addition to frequently having high sugar counts, these drinks are acidic, which means they can soften teeth and make them more likely to experience teeth stains and decay. By choosing water over flavored beverages, you can cut back on sugar and also protect yourself against future stains. Increasing your overall water consumption is also a good way to prevent dehydration, an issue that can make it more difficult for your body to naturally resist cavities.
Small Daily Changes Can Have A Big Impact In Time
If you want to avoid a dental filling or dental crown at your next dental appointment, think about what you do from one day to the next. Giving yourself a little more time to fully clean your teeth when you brush, making a point of flossing every day, and taking out sugary products currently in your diet can lead to lasting benefits. You can have an easier time avoiding tooth decay, and you can more easily maintain a lovely smile that gives you confidence!
Your Ankeny, IA Dentist’s Office Can Help You Stay Out Of Cavity Trouble
At Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, we are prepared to offer important preventive and restorative services as well as support through guidance on better daily habits. To find out more about our practice, please call our Ankeny dental practice at (515) 965-0230.
