How to Eat (Dental Version)

The title of this talk is how to eat. Which is funny because we say we know how to eat, but do we know how to eat to keep our teeth in the best possible condition? The answer has to do with the fact our mouths have a living complement of bacteria present at all times, ready to cause cavities, and how we eat can keep these bacteria from seriously messing up our teeth! You can fatten up these bacteria, cause them to be vigorous and secrete acids that eat our tooth surfaces and cause cavities, by eating often and sugary foods. By eating often, by eating a snack every hour, you make a comfortable and prosperous life for these bacteria, and they will reward you by attacking your teeth and causing cavities. By eating sugary or starchy foods like cookies, cough drops, breath mints, bread and rice, you also feed the offending bacteria with nutritious food, and again they will give you cavities. So how do you eat? Eat less often, eat less bread and sugar. Also there are foods that are actually good for your teeth because they contain calcium, a building block for teeth. These include aged cheeses, meats like chicken, and vegetables like broccoli and spinach. Raw vegetables and sugar free chewing gum also help because they mechanically remove food particles when you chew, and stimulate saliva, which washes away food. Eat sweets like you would desserts, that is right after a meal, because you have more saliva right around eating a meal. Finally, not a substitute for regular brushing, but vigorously swishing a mouthful of water can dislodge food particles stuck in your teeth. Best wishes, and happy eating! – ProDentalFx, LLC (Source Webmd, wb.md/3x4teUm)