Our Orland Park dentists are here to help you make good choices for your smile every single day. To that end, in this article, our team is sharing some information about how specific foods affect oral health. Today we are talking about refined carbohydrates in particular; let’s get started!
Here are some examples of commonly consumed products that are high in sugar and refined carbs:
- white rice
- refined bread
- commercial cereals
- pizza dough
- chips
- sweet breakfast pastries and desserts
- candies
- soft drinks
- many fruit juices
One simple thing that you can do is to try and swap these foods for healthier alternatives. Here are some options:
- Non-starchy vegetables
- whole grain bread, dough, and pasta
- brown rice
- beans, lentils, and peas
- whole fruits, rather than processed fruit products
It is also a good idea to rinse your mouth vigorously after you eat or drink something with refined carbohydrates. This will help to remove dental debris, and it will prompt saliva production.
Our Tinley Park dentists understand that it can be difficult to cut sugar and processed substances from your diet entirely. Start off by just making a few strategic swaps in your diet, and talk to your dental team about things that you can do to boost your smile’s ability to fight bacteria day to day. Your dental team may recommend special tools like a waterpik, or bacteria-fighting mouth rinses to meet your needs.
Every day we coat our smiles in the foods and drinks that we consume. When we don’t take a critical look at our diets, we can overlook diet-related dental damage. If you want to learn more about how various affect your smile, or if you would like to schedule a personal consultation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team