The More Natural the Food the Longer the Smiles

When it comes to teeth, brushing and flossing are just half of it, says Orthodontist and Dentist at Madison Dental Group, Dr. Gabriela Hricko. "It's not what you eat, it's how you eat and how often. It is better to have chocolate than anything gummy," that's good to hear for chocolate lovers, but that's not all of it. It's better to have three solid meals than constantly snacking throughout the day.

We take our teeth for granted. Teeth affect the way we speak, chew, breathe, and kiss. Young kids preparing for braces or in braces sometimes have a self-esteem complex and smile less. Human genetics can't be fixed... sorry I know sometimes we wish we could choose our families, but there are other things that can be done, like altering our diet to achieve desired results.

Our teeth take a huge beating with the foods we eat. I'm not talking about a minute on the lips a lifetime on the hips. Those Swedish Fish gummies that Dr. Hricko and I love so much at the movies will stay in our mouths longer than we think. The sugars of sweet food and candies have a way of getting into the nooks and crannies of our teeth and mouth. More bacteria results in more cavities which makes for more doctor visits EVERYONE wants to avoid. Don't wait for a cavity. Drink water after every meal, gargle a little (never floss or gargle in public though please) and find fibrous foods that will get you chewing and salivating more. Chewing sugarless gum after meals will also stimulate saliva flow. Saliva is 90% water and has natural bacteria fighting juices in it that prevent cavities and color distortion.

There are some tricks to getting around those unnecessary doctor's visits. Our society relies heavily on snacks and convenience foods, it is best to limit the amount of snacking and constant drinking during the day. Try to leave at least two hours between snacks so that the mouth can cleanse itself. Celery, carrots, mushrooms, apples, and other high water content foods are good for snacking and healthier options. Foods high in calcium like cheese, milk and yogurt are also good snacks for your teeth. To prevent staining and promote strengthening, stick to clear liquids and natural foods. Choose water with Fluoride in it, a great way to strengthen the teeth and enamel.

Here are some other tips:

-Use a straw when drinking high sucrose or dark colored liquids. This eliminates the contact the liquid has with your teeth.

-Never chew on ice chips; the cold and hard surface does nothing but damage. Drinking white wine over red wine makes a big difference as well as drinking vodka over dark rum.

-Drink a glass of water in between snacking or drinking to rinse the liquids off your teeth.

We have heard that too much coffee or fluoride discolors and weakens teeth, too many carrots turn the skin orange, even too much brushing can be bad for the teeth, health, etc. but like Dr. Hricko says, "everything is good for you, and everything is bad for you," it's all about moderation. We just need to be conscious about what we are consuming and how we deal with the aftermath of a high sugar meal or snack.

At the end of the day the best treat you can give your mouth is water and a good electric toothbrush. Our teeth get us through a long day of communicating and indulging. Technology will only get us so far; it's up to our appetites and self-discipline to do the rest!

— Written by Molly McDonough

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