According to the National Institutes of Health, tooth decay is still the single most prevalent chronic disease in the United States— in both children and adults. This is a disturbing trend, especially after one considers the fact that tooth decay can easily lead to teeth falling out completely. Fortunately, there are many ways to circumvent this problem.
Apart from visiting a Phoenix dentist like Dr. J. Richard Bentley, D.D.S. once every six months for a checkup, the food you eat plays a large role in preventing tooth decay. Avoid eating too many sugary and acidic foods like candies and coffee. Instead, try chewing on these anti-tooth decay foods:
Cheese
If you didn’t already have enough reason to ask for another slice of Gouda, then consider this: studies have shown that cheese increases the calcium content of saliva, allowing the teeth to re-mineralize faster. At the same time, harder cheeses also scrape off any plaque off of the surface of your pearly whites.
Sugar-free Gum
Chewing gum has long been said to help prevent tooth decay. However, an article from the American Dental Association (ADA) claims that it isn’t so much the xylitol in the gum that helps prevent tooth decay as it is the act of chewing itself:
“The physical act of chewing increases the flow of saliva in your mouth. If you chew after eating, the increased salivary flow can help neutralize and wash away the acids that are produced when food is broken down by the bacteria in plaque on your teeth. Over time, acid can break down tooth enamel, creating the conditions for decay. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel. Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.”
Look for gum that has the ADA seal on it. This helps you better determine whether the gum is safe for your teeth.
Although you can easily get dental implants in Phoenix to treat tooth loss caused by tooth decay, why wait until it reaches that point? By eating more of the foods mentioned above, you can keep your natural “chompers” strong and healthy for the rest of your life. Don’t forget to brush your teeth and floss after eating.
(Source: 13 Secrets for Making Your Cleaning Business a Success; Entrepreneur Magazine; April 15, 2014)