Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Cavities affect nearly everyone, yet are preventable in many cases. According to the CDC, about 91% of adults ages 20-64 have at least one cavity in their permanent teeth, as of a report published in 2012. By the time they reach 65 years of age, 96% have tooth decay. That is astounding! What if there was something you could do to reduce your risk? Today on the blog family dentists in Greeneville at Tusculum Dental Care are recommending foods that can help you do just that!
First, let’s take a look at what causes cavities
Tooth decay begins as a result of bacteria in our mouths. This bacteria is in everyone’s mouth, and there’s no getting around it. The foods that we eat, as well as anything with sugar or acids provide fuel to this bacteria, which then secrete acids onto our teeth. It’s these acids that rot our teeth. That is where the idea of brushing and flossing daily come into play. These habits remove the bacteria and any acids, ideally, before any damage has been done. It takes about 24 hours for these acids to harden and become tartar buildup. So, brushing twice a day, and flossing once daily should have you covered. Until it doesn’t.
You might be wondering why you still get cavities even though you take good care of your teeth. Well, the answer to that might be related to what you eat. While you might not eat a lot of sugar or drink soda all day, common snacks like chips, crackers, and the like are just as bad for your teeth! Is your go-to snack a bag of chips or a granola bar? While your taste buds probably are happy, your teeth aren’t.
While we aren’t saying that you should avoid eating anything like that, or even that you absolutely cannot enjoy a soda or fruit juice once in a while, just be mindful of how often you consume these things, and what you do afterward. If you want to see your oral health improve, however, swap out your daily snack that comes from a package for something fresh, raw, and crunchy.
Fresh fruits and vegetables actually help clean your teeth, lessening your risk of developing cavities. Now, this doesn’t mean that you can skip brushing and flossing each day, it just means that eating these foods as a snack or when you finish your meal could help keep your teeth healthy.
Here’s what to eat if you want to reduce your risk of cavities:
- Apples
- Carrots
- Celery
- Bell peppers
- Jicama
- Cucumbers
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
While all fruits and veggies are healthy, this specific list recommends ones that are very crunchy, and are good for your oral health. They help scrape bacteria and tartar off your teeth and freshen your breath. Plus, fruits and veggies are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that do a body, and your mouth, good! So, the next time that you are on the prowl for an afternoon or late-night snack, just grab raw, crunchy veggies instead of the usual popcorn or chips. Plus, your waistline just might improve too!
General Dentist in Greeneville
To learn more about maintaining good oral health, or to schedule an appointment, call Tusculum Dental Care at (423) 639-7575. We welcome patients of Greenville, Erwin, and Jonesborough, Tennessee.