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Here’s something you probably didn’t know: maintaining a healthy set of teeth and gums for life goes beyond regular and thorough brushing and flossing. As important as good oral hygiene and regular appointments with the Sun City dentist are, you also need to eat the right foods and avoid the bad ones. In this article, the cosmetic dentist in Arizona has put together a list of foods you should try to incorporate into your diet more often, as well as a list of the foods you should permanently scrap! So, without further ado, here are the good and the bad!

Foods that are GOOD for Your Oral Health

• The Sun City Dentist Recommends Dairy Products

“Dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese and milk contain essential elements, such as phosphates and calcium. These play a key role in remineralizing the enamel of your teeth, making them stronger and more resilient against acid, bacteria and decay,” explains the cosmetic dentist in Arizona. “Cheese also helps to stimulate the production of saliva, which not only helps to flush the mouth of food debris, but is also the body’s natural defense against bacteria.

• The Sun City Dentist Recommends Fiber-rich Vegetables and Fruits

“Fibrous fruits and vegetables have a wonderful cleaning effect in the mouth,” says the Sun City dentist. “They gently scrape and scrub your teeth, tongue and gums, helping to dislodge plaque and other bits of food debris.” These particular foods, like dairy, help to stimulate saliva production, which neutralizes the acidity of your mouth, flushes out food debris and helps to protect against bacteria. “Saliva also contains minerals that are essential for the remineralization of your teeth after eating, calcium and phosphate,” says the cosmetic dentist in Arizona.

• The Sun City Dentist Recommends Sugar-free Chewing Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal or snack is another saliva stimulator which, for all the previously-mentioned reasons, is great for your teeth.

• The Sun City Dentist Recommends Green and Black Teas

“Green and black tea is high in polyphenols, which are known for their anti-bacteria actions,” explains the cosmetic dentist in Arizona. “Polyphenols serve to both kill and suppress these tiny cavity-causing micro-organisms.”

• The Sun City Dentist Recommends Foods Containing Fluoride

Our most important source of fluoride is our drinking water. So any food you prepare with water will be beneficial for the health of your teeth. Seafood, powdered cereals and poultry is also known to contain small amounts of fluoride. “It’s important that your water contains fluoride, so steer clear of filtered or bottled water,” advises the cosmetic dentist in Arizona. “Opt instead for spring or mineral water.”

Foods that are BAD for Your Oral Health

• The Sun City Dentist Advises Against Sticky Sweets and Candies

If you’ve got an insatiable and undeniable sweet tooth, then opt for candy that quickly clears out of your mouth, such as chocolate. “You should avoid sticky sweets that adhere to the cusps of your teeth and remain in your mouth for a long time,” says the Sun City dentist. “These indulgences tend to increase bacterial activity and plaque production, so it’s a ‘no’ to caramels, toffees, lollipops and cough drops.”

• The Sun City Dentist Advises Against Fizzy Soft Drinks

Colas are loaded with sugar and are high in acid. If you’re thirsty, drink water instead!

• The Sun City Dentist Advises Against Starchy Foods that Stick in Your Teeth

“Soft, starchy foods like white breads and chips can easily get lodged in the tiny spaces between your teeth,” says the cosmetic dentist in Arizona. “Unless you’re smart about flossing regularly, which most people aren’t, try to cut down on these.”

• The Sun City Dentist Advises Against Foods that Cause Dry Mouth

“Many medicines and alcohol cause ‘dry mouth’, which has the opposite effect to sugar-free gum. Speak to your doctor about switching medications if you have noticed this problem,” advises the Sun City dentist.