Tis The Season To Be Careful
As the year draws to an end most of us are looking forward to the festive season, with parties galore and food fit for kings, it’s extremely hard to resist the temptations around us. But if we want to save an emergency trip to the dentist we should look at having certain foods in moderation.
Watch your citrus intake
The truth is that frequent exposures to acidic foods can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay over time. So even though a squeeze of lemon or lime can turn a simple glass of water into a fun beverage, it's not always the best choice for your mouth. Children especially should limit their citrus drinks as citric fruits and juices can also irritate mouth sores. Make sure to drink plenty of plain water. Our childrens dentist in Balwyn can provide a thorough check to ensure your child’s teeth are healthy and strong.
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What you eat matters
It seems like everywhere we look right now there are hard candies, we’re filling our Christmas stockings with them and decorating our Christmas trees and to be honest these are the only places we should be putting them. While these hard candies seem harmless, eat too many and the constant exposure to sugar can be harmful to your teeth and your children’s teeth. Hard candies also put your teeth at risk because in addition to being full of sugar, they can also trigger a dental emergency such as a broken or chipped tooth.
If you do suffer a dental emergency over the holidays please don’t hesitate to call us on (03) 9817 7144, we have emergency dentists servicing Balwyn, Camberwell, Surrey Hills, Hawthorn, Kew and Mont Albert on call.
Ice is for chilling, not chewing
You’d be surprised at how many people think ice is good for their teeth. It’s made of water, after all, and doesn’t contain any sugar or other additives. But chewing on hard substances can leave your teeth vulnerable to a dental emergency and damage enamel. Our advice: Break the habit and enjoy water in its liquid form if you can.
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Not all coffee is good for you, Yes we just said that.
In their natural form, coffee and tea can be healthy beverage choices. Unfortunately too many people can’t resist adding sugar. Caffeinated coffee and tea can also dry out your mouth. Frequent drinks of coffee and tea may also stain your teeth. If you do consume, make sure to drink plenty of water and try to keep the add-ons to a minimum. Alternatively why not come in and try our Philips Zoom! WhiteSpeed tooth whitening treatment, it works wonderfully at giving you a dazzling white smile! If you’re after tooth whitening near Camberwell, Surrey Hills, Hawthorn, Kew, Balwyn or Mont Albert call in to make an appointment, you’ll be happy you did!
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Sticky foods are your mouth's worst nightmare
When it comes to picking healthy snacks, many people put dried fruit at the top of the list. But many dried fruits are sticky. Sticky foods can damage your teeth since they tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find yourself eating dried fruits or trail mix often, make sure to rinse with water after and to brush and floss carefully.
Beware of things that go "crunch"
Who doesn’t love the nice, satisfying crunch of a potato chip? Unfortunately potato chips are filled with starch, which tends to get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in snacks like these, take extra care when you floss that day to remove all the food particles that can lead to plaque build-up. To play it safe, we recommend a professional clean and check up. When was the last time you visited your dentist? We know life can get busy, we’re open late Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and open until 1pm on Saturday. Feel free to give us a call on (03) 9817 7144, it will be our pleasure to look after you.
Swap out soft drink with water
When you eat sugary foods or sip sugary drinks for long periods of time, plaque bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel, the hard surface of your tooth. Most carbonated soft drinks, including diet soda, are acidic and therefore, bad for your teeth. Caffeinated beverages, such as colas can also dry out your mouth. If you do consume soft drinks, try to drink lots of water.
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Limit alcohol consumption
Alcohol causes dehydration and dry mouth. People who drink excessively may find their saliva flow is reduced over time, which can lead to tooth decay and other oral infections such as gum disease. We don’t want to ruin your fun but heavy alcohol use also increases your risk for mouth cancer. Please drink in moderation.
Watch out for sports drinks
They sound healthy, but sugar is a top ingredient for many sports and energy drinks. The Australian Academy of Pediatrics says sports drinks can be helpful for young athletes engaged in prolonged, vigorous physical activities, but unnecessary in most cases. Before you hand these over to your children, check the label to make sure it is low in sugar or even better just drink water.
We’ve covered some not so healthy choices, it’s only fair to help you with options that will help you keep a healthy mouth and smile!
Water rules
Water, especially fluoridated water, is the best beverage for maintaining your oral health. That's because fluoride helps to make teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that can cause cavities. In Australia we’re so fortunate to have access to fluoridated water, so drinking water from your own kitchen sink can help prevent dental problems.
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If you can, choose dairy
Milk, and other dairy products such as cheese and yogurt, are low in sugar, which is a good thing for your dental health. Plus, they contain protein and are full of calcium, which can help to strengthen your teeth.
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Lean proteins for the win
Phosphorus-rich foods such as meat, poultry, fish, milk and eggs help to strengthen your teeth and contain valuable protein.
Fruits and veggies pack an extra punch
Fruits and veggies are an important part of any balanced diet, and they are also good for your teeth. Since they are high in water and fiber, they help to balance the sugars they contain and help to clean your teeth. Chewing also helps to stimulate saliva production, which washes harmful acids and food particles away from your teeth.
Nourishing nuts
Nuts contain protein and minerals important for overall health. In addition, nuts that are low in carbohydrates don’t add to your risk of cavities. Why? Because tooth decay is caused by acid-producing bacteria that are activated by carbs. Another benefit is that chewing nuts stimulates saliva production, which can reduce your risk for tooth decay.
From all of us at Tower Dental, we wish you a safe and joyous Christmas! If you have any dental issues you would like to discuss with us please do not hesitate to contact Tower Dental Balwyn on (03) 9817 7144, our friendly staff are looking forward to helping you.
Merry Christmas!