Less is more for healthy teeth

When it comes to nutrition for a healthy mouth, less is more.  Generally, the less ingredients something has, the healthier it is for you.  A package of cheese crackers, for example, contains: enriched flour, riboflavin, cheddar cheese, soybean oil, salt, corn syrup, baking soda, yeast, and soy lecithin (and this is a shortened list,) whereas an apple has one ingredient.  A banana is a banana, lettuce is lettuce, and nuts are nuts – well, you get the idea!  This rule doesn’t always apply, however, as orange juice has only one ingredient but contains lots of sugar (22 grams per serving.)  You’re better off just having the orange at about 9 grams of sugar per serving.  Less is also more when it comes to how frequently we eat sugary snacks or drinks as well as how long we take to eat them, too.  It is better to have dessert right after a meal or sweet drinks with a meal.  Constant snacking and sipping doesn’t allow the pH of the mouth to return to normal as fast as it could, putting one at greater risk for cavities.  So substitute in those “one ingredient” snacks and have snacks or beverages with meals for better tooth health.

My next post explores a surprisingly common phenomenon: Dreams about teeth!

This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any dental or medical condition.  If you need dental or medical attention please visit a dental or medical professional!