Salient point: If you want to maintain strong teeth for your lifetime, you need to ensure you are eating enough whole grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables and lean meats.

Acid Erosion

There are some drinks and snacks that are bad for your teeth and may contribute to acid erosion. Acid erosion happens when food or drink with a low PH level (more acidic) are consumed. That acid can linger in your mouth, taking the minerals away and softening the surface of your teeth. This makes your teeth more susceptible to damage and often leads to increased sensitivity and may require treatment. The big offenders seem to be soft drinks, orange juice and lemonade.

Healthy snacks for healthy teeth:

• Crackers with veggies and dip
• Fruit with cheese or milk
• Whole-grain bread with cheese or hummus
• Whole-grain crackers with peanut butter and water
• Muffin or homemade bread with milk
• Yogurt with diced fruit
• Unsweetened cereal topped with fresh fruit

To protect children’s teeth:

• Avoid sugary snacks that dissolve slowly in the mouth or stick to the teeth.
• Drink or rinse with plain water after snacking and between meals.
• Offer a variety of foods from Canada’s Food Guide at meals and snacks.
• Offer three meals and no more than two to three snacks per day.
• Brush your child’s teeth two times each day for two minutes each time. A toothpaste with fluoride is recommended for children ages 3 and up.

Nutrition Tips

• Try to avoid acidic food and drink between meals; there isn’t as much saliva in your mouth at these times to protect your teeth
• Don’t clean your teeth right after eating. If you brush while the acid is still in your mouth you are removing some of your teeth’s surface. If you wait about an hour the saliva will help your teeth battle the acid so it is safe to brush
• Try to finish your breakfast, lunch or dinner with a little cheese or milk as these products help cut down on the acid in your mouth.

A Note About Sweets

When it comes to your teeth, it’s not about the amount of sweets you eat, but the length of time that you leave your teeth exposed to sweets. So it’s better to eat sweets at mealtimes rather than between meals, as the amount of saliva produced at mealtimes will help protect your teeth.

If you cannot avoid sweets between meals, choose something with less sugar like those listed above. Sticky sweets like toffee or hard candy should be avoided as snacks.

Contact Family Care Dental Clinic for your consultation today!

Located in the heart of North Vancouver, BC, Family Care Dental Clinic is a group of passionate dentists and dental experts who are committed to providing patients with exceptional dental care in a modern and relaxing environment. We at Family Care Dental Clinic offer our clients a wide range of comprehensive dental services for the whole family.

Call (604) 987-3545 or write us at info@familycaredentalclinic.com to schedule an appointment with a member of our excellent team!