Thursday, August 1, 2013

Your San Luis Obispo Dentist Can Help Prevent Cavities

Dr. Amorteguy understands how important it is to maintain healthy teeth and gums, but the best Dentist in San Luis Obispo will also tell you that the food you eat and the drinks you consume could have plenty to do with your smile.




A few decades ago, food was not filled with preservatives, hormones, antibiotics and other additives. These days packaged foods are loaded with sugar, high fructose corn syrup and much more. Your San Luis Obispo Dentist recommends that you avoid cakes, cookies, candy, and other sweet treats. If you must curb your sweet tooth stick to fresh fruits like berries, apples, bananas, peaches, melons, nectarines, pears and grapes. If you do indulge in an extra sweet treat make sure you rinse your mouth out and brush as soon as you can. Your favorite San Luis Obispo Dentist also advises consuming sweets during meals as the extra saliva can help rinse your mouth.


Most people know that your San Luis Obispo Dentist recommends brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, but your San Luis Obispo Dentist also advises you to choose the right foods to help maintain healthy teeth and gums.


Cheese is great for your teeth. Not only is it high in calcium and low in sugar, but it also contains the protein casein. Casein helps fortify the surface of the tooth. Ask your San Luis Obispo Dentist about remineralizing toothpastes that contain casein.

With all of the negative press surrounding artificial sweeteners, it is good to know that your San Luis Obispo Dentist recommends sugar-free gum. Look for brands that contain Xylitol. This sugar replacement is known as the anti-sugar as it feeds the bacteria that can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. In addition, chewing gum will help remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth.

The best Dentist in San Luis Obispo will tell you that most fresh vegetables are good for your teeth. Chewing raw veggies, especially celery, causes you to salivate. Celery is also a good choice because the fibrous strand will naturally clean your teeth.

Instead of bottled water, which may not contain fluoride, turn on the tap. Tap water that is fluoridated helps to prevent tooth decay because it remineralizes your teeth. Fluoridated tap water can actually reverse the damage cause by acidic foods.

Sesame Oil is great for your teeth and is used in Ayurvedic medicine. “Oil Pulling,” is a technique that involves washing and gargling with sesame oil. Oil Pulling can be just as effective as using mouthwash that contains chlorehexidine.

Talk to your San Luis Obispo Dentist about your diet and find out if the foods you enjoy are causing tooth decay.