Foods that Cause Tooth Decay

Many people think that tooth decay is only caused by eating candy and drinking soda. So, they stop eating candy and drinking soda. However, they are greatly disappointed when they find out they still have tooth problems. We have compiled a small list of foods that can cause tooth decay. To help keep your teeth in good condition, try avoiding the following foods:

Avoid Sugar

• Brown sugar
• White sugar
• Corn syrup
• Evaporated cane juice

Flour & Grain Products

• Wheat flour
• White flour
• Bread
• Cookies
• Doughnuts
• Muffins

Hydrogenated Oils

• Margarine
• Vegetable oil
• Crisco
• Canola

Junk Food

• Chocolate candy bars
• Potato chips
• Soda
• Sugar-filled drinks

The list of foods and ingredients is only a handful of foods that cause tooth decay. There are plenty of other foods and ingredients that can cause major tooth problems. If you eat the foods listed above in moderation, make sure you brush your teeth (2-3 minutes) and floss in the morning, after eating and before you go to bed. Also, make sure you visit the dentist regularly.

There are many foods that we eat that can speed up the process of tooth decay. The good news is that if you practice good tooth care regularly, you can help prevent tooth decay or at least slow down the process of decay.

Dental Tips for Busy Parents

Tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease can start in childhood. If you're a busy mom or dad, it can be difficult to squeeze in extra time during your day to educate your kids about dental hygiene. So, we have developed a quick list to help you stay on track with your child's dental care.

Use a toothbrush timer

To help keep your child's teeth healthy, they should brush their teeth at least 2 to 3 minutes. Consider purchasing a toothbrush that comes with a timer. This will assure that he/she is brushing for more than a few seconds. Using a stopwatch or a timer will work perfectly as well.

Give the kids an incentive

Every time your child brushes their teeth and floss (consistently), consider giving them an award. It doesn't have to be expensive. Giving your child a colorful sticker star is enough to get them excited about maintaining healthy teeth. When you give your kids an incentive for eating healthy and keeping their teeth healthy will help prevent expensive dental problems in the future.

Dental Checkups

A child should have dental checkups at least 2 times a year. A child's dental visit should be scheduled as early as age 1.

When a child maintains healthy teeth, they are less likely to have dental problems when they grow older. Every parent’s goal should be to help keep their child cavity-free.

5 Great Tips to Prevent Tooth Decay

When some people think about tooth decay, they immediately associate it with people who smoke and chew tobacco. In reality, sugar is the culprit. The following are tips to prevent tooth decay:

Use non-sugar sweeteners

Saccharine, sorbitol and aspartame are great substitutes because they don’t produce tooth decay. The next time you’re tempted to add sugar to your coffee or tea, try to replacing sugar with non-sugar sweeteners.

Eat healthy sweets

If you love eating sweets, eat snacks that have the tooth-friendly logo. These mouthwatering sweets contain non-sugar sweeteners. If you have young children (or grand-children) this should be avoided because it can cause some GIT disturbance.

Avoid Drinking Soda

Carbonated drinks like soda are so acidic that it can help speed up the process of tooth decay. There are many soda substitutes that you can drink. For example, there are many healthy flavored spritzers that you can drink instead of drinking soda. Another great substitute is to drink fruit juice. Just make sure you choose healthy brands that are low on sugar.

Eat fiber rich natural foods

Examples of foods rich in fiber are vegetables. Fresh vegetables are not only healthy for your body; it can also help prevent tooth decay. Vegetables have what is known as a ‘mechanical cleaning action’ that removes bacteria from the tooth surface.

Chew sugar-free gum

Chewing sugar-free gum is great for stimulating saliva production.

Well, there you have it; five tips that can help you prevent tooth decay.

Dental Tips for Diabetics

It is important that people with diabetes take good care of their teeth. Diabetics are at a higher risk for mouth infections and gum disease. Gum disease can damage the gum and bone that hold your teeth together. This can be extremely painful when chewing food. There are many Americans who suffer from pain when chewing. As a diabetic, this problem should not be ignored. If you are experiencing any type of oral pain, schedule a dental appointment immediately.

Brush, Floss and Control Your Blood Glucose

In addition to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, it is important that you control your blood glucose. You should also brush and floss your teeth daily. Make sure you schedule for a dental checkup at least 1 to 2 times a year. At Preston Dental Center, we can help you prevent gum disease.

Here are a few steps to help keep your mouth healthy:

• Brush and floss at least 3 times a day.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
• Visit your dentist 1 to 2 times a year for a checkup.
• Control your blood glucose levels. This can help prevent mouth problems.

If you notice your gums bleeding when you brush and floss or you notice white patches, soreness and dryness, contact your dentist. These are all signs that you may have a serious dental problem.

Lastly, if you wear dentures that do not fit properly, or your gums feel tender and sore, make sure you tell your dentist.

Dental Office Serving Cary NC and Surrounding Areas

At Preston Dental Center we are proud of our team and we are committed to serving our patients with the most professional care supported by the latest technology.

Our dental office provides family and general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, invisalign and E4D crowns, laser gum therapy, Zoom teeth whitening, sleep apnea treatment and many other services to our neighbors in Cary NC, also serving Raleigh NC, Durham NC and Morrisville NC.

We are dedicated to creating a comfortable and friendly atmosphere for each patient and providing state-of-the-art dental care. It is our top priority to treat each patient as an individual.

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Looking for a Dentist in Cary North Carolina?

If you are currently looking for a dentist, Dr. Gregory Mayes and Dr. Lisa Mayes at Preston Dental Center would love the opportunity to show you what exceptional dental care is all about. Their passion for beautiful smiles goes hand in hand with their professionalism and care for each and every patient.

It has never been easier to get that beautiful smile you always desired. At Preston Dental Center we combine the love of art and the science of dentistry to create beautiful smiles.

Schedule a visit today and find out why Preston Dental Center is your dental office of choice in Cary North Carolina.

Gum Disease: What You Should Know Now

Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth? If so you might be at risk for periodontal disease, or gum disease. Over half of American adults have some form of gum disease and aren't even aware. That's why trips to the dentist are crucial: general dentistry practice can identify and treat this disease.

Signs include red, puffy, and bleeding gums. Some patients report shooting pains in their mouths, while others have no symptoms at all. Because the gums support the teeth, gum disease can lead to loss of teeth. Even worse, the condition can begin to affect health in other parts of the body. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, and other diseases.

Some treatments for gum disease include scaling and root planing, as well as antibiotic treatment. It's important to start treatment right away so that it doesn't spread or cause major discomfort. Your dentist can tell you the proper treatment for you.

Many patients don't get the proper patient education about gum disease, so it's important to go to a general dentistry practice where the dentist will sit with you and explain what you need to do to keep your gums healthy. Be sure to see a dentist who can diagnose and better yet, treat your gum disease so you are not at risk for more serious complications.

Healthy teeth and gums are important not just for a beautiful smile, but to preserve the health of your body as a whole.

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