Food

Smoking, Coffee, Sugar & Food | Skeels Dentistry

At the dental offices of Dr. David K. Skeels, we strive to help you keep your teeth healthy even outside of our office. To this end, we conduct thorough patient education on the interaction between foods & teeth in our Rochester, NY location.

You already know brushing and flossing can only do so much when you drink a can of soda with every meal. But did you know that some foods actually protect your teeth? And how much do you really know about the relationship between foods & teeth? Our Rochester, NY professionals teach patients which foods to include and which to avoid on a regular basis.

Good Foods

  • Dairy products: Cheese, milk, and yogurt strengthen your teeth because they contain high calcium levels.
  • Green and black teas: These beverages contain polyphenols that combat plaque bacteria.
  • Sugarless chewing gum: Chewing gum creates saliva that helps push away food particles.
  • Meat, fish, and tofu: These foods contain phosphorus, which helps protect tooth enamel.
  • Green vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli, bok choy, kale, and celery consist of dietary fiber and water, which promote oral cleanliness.
  • Apples and carrots: Naturally crunchy foods fight plaque and freshen your breath.
  • Raw pears: Raw pears neutralize acids, which wear away at your teeth's enamel.

Bad Foods

  • Acidic beverages: This category includes soft drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, coffee, and fruity drinks. Despite the hydration these drinks provide, they can also eat away at enamel. Drink them sparingly or with a meal to lessen the effect.
  • Alcohol: Alcohol dries out your mouth, and drinks like red wine can stain your teeth.
  • Acidic fruits: Citrus and berries, as well as tomatoes, have acids that damage your teeth's enamel. Don't give up on them completely; though-just eat them with foods from the previous list.
  • Vinegar: Especially in pickling solution, which also has sugar, the sugar and acids in vinegar damage tooth enamel.
  • Candy: Hard and sour candies have a huge impact on the effectiveness of good foods & on your teeth. Dr. Skeels recommends avoiding these treats, since hard candies allow sugar to sit in your mouth and sour candies contain harsh acids.
  • Dried fruit: Since they're sticky, chewy, and sugary, dehydrated fruits tend to get stuck to your teeth and hurt your enamel.
  • Smoking: While not technically a food or drink, smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your teeth. It breaks down enamel, destroys defenses against plaque, and stains teeth a range of unappealing colors.

Food and Teeth Correlation

To speak with a dentist who understands the correlation between foods & teeth in Rochester, NY, call us now at 585-467-7000.

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