Good oral health starts with a balanced diet. Eating foods that are harmful to teeth can promote cavities and infections.
Diet plays a major role in the development of cavities. In fact, the more sugar you eat, the more likely you are to develop tooth decay. When you eat sweets, the bacteria found in plaque mixes with the sugar to produce an acid that attacks tooth enamel.
Brushing your teeth and flossing helps remove the bacteria that form this acid. It’s therefore always recommended to brush your teeth after eating sugary foods in order to limit the acid attack on your teeth.
Here are a few other tips to help you protect your teeth:
- Eat candy at meal times, as there is more saliva in the mouth at this time, which will help neutralize the tooth-damaging acid.
- Avoid sticky candies that can get stuck between teeth.
- Rinse your mouth with water after eating candy. The water will help wash away some of the sugar.
- Avoid sipping sugary or acidic drinks throughout the day.
- Try sugar-free snacks.
- Eat or drink a dairy product after the candy. Dairy products reduce acid levels in the mouth.
If you have a craving and want to avoid sweet foods, we recommend that you choose nuts, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, and salads.
