{"id":840,"date":"2020-02-11T19:48:22","date_gmt":"2020-02-11T19:48:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drgsmiles.com\/blog\/?p=840"},"modified":"2020-02-11T19:48:22","modified_gmt":"2020-02-11T19:48:22","slug":"eat-mouth-healthy-diet-dentist-in-medford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drgsmiles.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/11\/eat-mouth-healthy-diet-dentist-in-medford\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Eat a Mouth-Healthy Diet"},"content":{"rendered":"\"close<\/a>\n\nYou might already be aware of certain foods that you need to eat in order to lose weight: foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. However, did you know that what you eat affects more than just your waistline? According to a dentist in Medford, the foods and drinks you consume impact your oral health<\/a>. In today\u2019s blog post, we take a look at some healthy snacks to choose that benefit your teeth and gums.\n\n\n

Are Sugary Snacks Good for Your Teeth?<\/h2>\nIt probably comes as no surprise that since snacks high in sugar aren\u2019t good for your general health, they don\u2019t benefit your teeth either. When you consume something sugary, bacteria in your mouth feast on those sugars and leave behind an acidic waste product that destroys tooth enamel. This is actually what causes cavities. Because of this, you\u2019ll want to keep your consumption of sugary products to a minimum.\n

How Do I \u201cSnack Smarter\u201d to Protect My Teeth from Cavities?<\/h2>\nBefore you indulge in a snack, ask yourself about its ingredients. Is it packed with sugar? If so, you might want to reconsider. Also, keep in mind that certain textures of foods are healthier than others. Chewy or sticky snacks linger on the surface of your teeth, bathing your teeth in sugar and giving bacteria plenty of time to wreak havoc.\n\nAnother thing to think about is how often you snack. Every time you eat or drink something sugary, damaging acids form on your teeth. It takes your saliva about 20 minutes to neutralize these acids, meaning your teeth are vulnerable until then. So, the more often you eat sugary snacks during the day, the more often you feed harmful oral bacteria, which increases your risk of developing tooth decay.\n\nIf you\u2019re going to consume sweets, it\u2019s much better to do so with or just after a meal. Saliva production increases during mealtimes, which naturally washes your teeth clean. If you can, brush your teeth or at least chew some sugar-free gum afterward.\n

What Are Some Examples of Mouth-Healthy Snacks?<\/h2>\nThere are a variety of healthy snacks out there to choose from, such as:\n