{"id":11,"date":"2020-02-02T19:56:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-02T19:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.evansstdental.com\/blog\/?p=11"},"modified":"2020-03-02T20:02:36","modified_gmt":"2020-03-02T20:02:36","slug":"dentist-in-mcminnville-healthy-snacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.evansstdental.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/02\/dentist-in-mcminnville-healthy-snacks\/","title":{"rendered":"How The Phrase \u201cYou Are What You Eat\u201d Applies To Your Oral Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Even if you\u2019re diligent about brushing and flossing every day, the foods that you eat and vitamins and minerals that you take in can have a significant impact on the health of your teeth and gums. With a conscious diet, routine preventive care<\/a> from your dentist in McMinnville, and great at-home oral hygiene, you\u2019ll be able to enjoy your natural smile for decades to come. Read on to learn more about how your diet can impact your oral health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Problem With Sugary Snacks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have a sweet tooth, you understand how hard it is to\nturn down some of your favorite sugary snacks at the grocery store. While it\u2019s\nnot bad for you to eat these in moderation, regularly snacking on these\nproducts can cause issues for your oral health down the road. Being mindful of\nyour consumption of sugars and carbohydrates can help you avoid problems like\ngum disease and cavities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you chew food, harmful oral bacteria and debris combine\nwith your saliva to form a sticky film called plaque. Within the plaque, the\nbacteria feeds off of the sugars and carbohydrates found in the food debris.\nThis allows them to produce waste in the form of toxins and acid that can erode\nyour tooth enamel and cause early signs of gum disease, such as inflammation\nand bleeding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Snacking Smart Can Protect Your Oral Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because sugars and carbohydrates help fuel harmful oral\nbacteria, it\u2019s a good idea to limit your intake of these substances and\nsubstitute alternatives such as fresh fruits and vegetables. As you chew\nfibrous fresh vegetables, they act as a natural toothbrush and scrub away\nplaque from your teeth, reducing your risk of bacteria buildup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do regularly snack on sweets, be sure to stay\nhydrated with water to rinse away sugar from the biting surface of your teeth\nor brush and floss your teeth afterward. The longer that sugar and\ncarbohydrates are left to settle on your teeth, the more likely it is that cavities\nwill form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vitamins & Minerals To Boost Gum Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t get many vitamins or minerals in your daily\ndiet, it\u2019s a good idea to consider eating more of certain foods or taking\nsupplements to help protect your gums from infection. This is an easy and\nsimple way to boost your oral health. Be sure to include these key ingredients\nin your daily diet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n