The typical teen will have three decayed teeth by 17 years old largely because of an over-consumption of sugar-laden foods. Plaque, that sticky substance that forms on your teeth and gums, is a magnet for sugar, and contains a bacteria that transforms sugar into acids that are powerful enough to dissolve tooth enamel. So, the concept is pretty simple: The less sugar you eat and the more you brush and floss your teeth, the fewer cavities you’ll suffer.
Major offenders include:
Candy, of course. Lollipops, caramels, jelly beans, etc. are all bad news. If you have to have a sweet, try to eat something that clears out of your mouth quickly—i.e. a plain chocolate like a Hershey Kiss versus a caramel-and-nougat filled candy bar.
Starchy carbohydrates like cookies and cakes and cooked starches like sweet potatoes can also linger in your mouth.
Besides being laden with sugar, most carbonated soft drinks contain phosphoric and citric acids that erode tooth enamel. Drink water and uncarbonated sugar-free soft drinks if you must.
Go easy on the fruit juice. Many contain added sugar. Go instead for whole fruit with lots of fiber and less sugar.
Lastly, if you do eat sweets, eat them once a day—perhaps as dessert after dinner—as opposed to several times a day between meals. You’re much more apt to brush your teeth following a meal, and eating sweets just once per day cuts down both the frequency and quantity consumed.
For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.
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