At the Melbourne dentist we advise our customers to maintain healthy food habits so that they can maintain their beautiful smiles. While proper and regular cleaning of your teeth and the use of appropriate cleaning products are all important, your eating habits can also have a huge impact on the health of your teeth. Sugary food and starchy food can increase the chances of tooth decay. So if you are in the habit of eating these, you should take care to brush your teeth after having them. Another kind of food that can increase tooth decay is those that cling to your teeth and is not washed away by saliva fast enough to avoid the growth of bacteria. You can always reduce this risk by washing your mouth after taking such food.
The bacteria that cause tooth decay produce acid which leads to demineralisation. When you take breaks between each meal, your saliva will try to neutralise the acidity in the mouth and avoid development of cavities. So if you eat too frequently, or often have drinks other than plain water, the enamel will not get time to remineralise and this can cause tooth decay. Food that increases the production of saliva is usually good for your teeth. If you have a meal rich in carbohydrates, you can finish it off with a piece of hard cheese. This can help protect your teeth both by encouraging flow of saliva and by providing valuable nutrients such as calcium and protein.Chewing gums with sugar substitutes, such as xylitol and sorbitol,is good for the health of your teeth. They can increase the production of saliva, help clear food debris and also often contain minerals such as calcium.
For healthy teeth, it is also necessary to maintain the overall health of your body. Our Melbourne dental clinic takes a holistic approach to dental care and believes that following a balance diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk products, beans, lean meats and oils is important to keep your mouth and your body healthy. It cannot be stressed enough that drinking plenty of water is an indispensable part of maintaining good health. Always make cleaning your teeth a priority – your twice a day brushing and flossing, and your routine six month cleaning at your Melbourne dental clinic should not be compromised. Your dentist will be able to help you with dietary tips to help maintain a good smile.