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A healthy diet
can surely make a difference for long-term oral health as well as
general health. We recommend a diet that includes plenty of
fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. A multiple
vitamin tablet may be helpful when it is difficult to eat a well-balanced
diet.
This information is probably nothing new, but it is certainly sound
advice to help your mouth stay healthy.
We know that in our culture, those not-so-healthy snacks and goodies
are constantly available and hard to resist. So here are some
guidelines to follow when the snack attack hits:
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Frequency of intake of sugary foods has more effect on tooth
decay than does the total amount of sugar. Small amounts
of sugar throughout the day keep the cavity-producing bacteria
more active. It is best to just have one sugary food at
one time during the day, and then brush, floss and rinse afterward. |
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It is not just sugar that can cause cavities. All simple
carbohydrates, such as white flour, high-fructose corn syrup,
honey, and concentrated fruit sugars can feed the bacteria that
cause cavities. |
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Texture and consistency matter, also. Sticky sugary foods
are more harmful than non-sticky foods. |
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Acid plus sugar can be even more harmful than sugar alone. Many
sports drinks are acidic, as are sodas. It is best to drink
water or milk. |
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Eating sweets with meals, rather than by themselves helps diminish
their harmful effects. |
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