| You brush, you floss and you visit the dentist | | | | - Foods that get stuck in teeth |
| twice a year. You may think that's all it takes to | | | | - Foods that dissolve slowly |
| have healthy teeth and gums, but not so. | | | | - Foods that contain sugar, starch or citric acids |
| What you eat plays a big part in how healthy | | | | The American Dental Association recommends |
| your smile is and can be as important to your | | | | brushing as soon as possible after eating. If that |
| dental health as your dental hygiene. Just as | | | | isn't possible, rinsing your mouth can help eliminate |
| eating a balanced diet with a variety of foods is | | | | food particles as well as make teeth more |
| essential to good health, your dental health also | | | | resistant to acid. To control your sugar intake, be |
| relies on proper nutrition. | | | | sure to read food labels and choose drinks that |
| Sugary sodas, sticky candy and other unhealthy | | | | are low in added sugar. In addition to limiting intake |
| food items are everywhere. And because they | | | | of sodas, candy, cookies and other sweet treats, |
| are so inexpensive and easy to obtain, many | | | | always remember to: |
| people turn to them for a quick snack when time | | | | - Brush twice a day, preferably after each meal |
| is limited. In addition to having little to no nutritional | | | | - Floss daily |
| value, they can wreak havoc on your teeth and | | | | - Drink plenty of water |
| gums. Food that contains any kind of sugar is | | | | - Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and |
| known to cause tooth decay. When sugar comes | | | | cleanings |
| in contact with the bacteria in your mouth, acid is | | | | Sticking to these tips and eating right will do your |
| produced. This acid stays in your mouth and | | | | mouth a world of good and your dentist will |
| attacks teeth for 20 minutes or more. Even | | | | definitely notice. In addition to watching what you |
| though most food has some amount of sugar, | | | | eat, routine and preventive dental care is vital to |
| like milk, vegetables and fruits, these shouldn't be | | | | your dental health. Haven't been to the dentist in |
| avoided since they provide so many nourishing | | | | a while because of rising dental costs? Find a |
| vitamins and minerals. The following can give you | | | | dentist and discount dental plan available in your |
| a good idea of what contributes to poor dental | | | | area, and start saving money on your dental care! |
| health: | | | | |