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When it comes to taking care of our teeth, striving for perfection is unrealistic. Rather than completely cutting out foods that may harm your smile, try swapping them for less damaging alternatives. 

Below are 5 easy food swaps you can make for clean, shiny teeth!

1. Swap sticky candies or dried fruit for the fresh stuff. It’s no surprise that sour gummies and caramel are not dentist approved snacks, but did you know that dried fruits are also concentrated with sugars that get stuck in your teeth? Curb that sugar craving with fresh fruits instead. Because the fruit fibers are less likely to stick to your teeth, they are also less likely to invite bacteria to sit in your mouth. Really craving candy? Choose chocolate instead, which easily melts or washes away.

2. Drink carbonated water instead of soda. Soda and sports drinks are loaded with sugar and often contain phosphoric and citric acids that wear away tooth enamel. If you can’t give up carbonated beverages or sweet drinks, opt for fresh fruit juice (with as few ingredients as possible) or sparkling waters with natural flavoring!

3. Cut back on citrus fruits. - You may be thinking, “What? I thought fruits were good for me?”They are in moderation, but the acid in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges can wear down tooth enamel over time, so be careful how much you eat and drink. Keep in mind, also, that all citrus is not created equal. Grapefruit for example tends to cause more damage, while orange causes the least.

4. Chew sugar-free gum. When chewing gum, saliva spreads sugars around your teeth and gums and bacteria can build up. However, sugar-free gum can actually help to clean your teeth. The saliva it produces can naturally wash away bacteria.  Plus, many sugarless gum brands are sweetened with xylitol, an alcohol that reduces bacteria. Double whammy!

5. Eat anything but white bread! You know the feeling: you take a bite of a sandwich and the bread sticks to the roof of your mouth or between your molars. When this happens, sugar (and cavity causing bacteria) are sticking too. All bread contains sugars that can be harmful to teeth, but white bread has the highest sugar content of all breads. We suggest choosing whole grain bread instead. The tougher consistency makes it less likely for sticking to occur.

Your child’s oral hygiene habits are being created right now! Making small changes like those suggested above can have a big effect on their long term oral health.

When it comes to taking care of our teeth, striving for perfection is unrealistic. Rather than completely cutting out foods that may harm your smile, try swapping them for less damaging alternatives. 

Below are 5 easy food swaps you can make for clean, shiny teeth!

1. Swap sticky candies or dried fruit for the fresh stuff. It’s no surprise that sour gummies and caramel are not dentist approved snacks, but did you know that dried fruits are also concentrated with sugars that get stuck in your teeth? Curb that sugar craving with fresh fruits instead. Because the fruit fibers are less likely to stick to your teeth, they are also less likely to invite bacteria to sit in your mouth. Really craving candy? Choose chocolate instead, which easily melts or washes away.

2. Drink carbonated water instead of soda. Soda and sports drinks are loaded with sugar and often contain phosphoric and citric acids that wear away tooth enamel. If you can’t give up carbonated beverages or sweet drinks, opt for fresh fruit juice (with as few ingredients as possible) or sparkling waters with natural flavoring!

3. Cut back on citrus fruits. - You may be thinking, “What? I thought fruits were good for me?”They are in moderation, but the acid in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges can wear down tooth enamel over time, so be careful how much you eat and drink. Keep in mind, also, that all citrus is not created equal. Grapefruit for example tends to cause more damage, while orange causes the least.

4. Chew sugar-free gum. When chewing gum, saliva spreads sugars around your teeth and gums and bacteria can build up. However, sugar-free gum can actually help to clean your teeth. The saliva it produces can naturally wash away bacteria.  Plus, many sugarless gum brands are sweetened with xylitol, an alcohol that reduces bacteria. Double whammy!

5. Eat anything but white bread! You know the feeling: you take a bite of a sandwich and the bread sticks to the roof of your mouth or between your molars. When this happens, sugar (and cavity causing bacteria) are sticking too. All bread contains sugars that can be harmful to teeth, but white bread has the highest sugar content of all breads. We suggest choosing whole grain bread instead. The tougher consistency makes it less likely for sticking to occur.

Your child’s oral hygiene habits are being created right now! Making small changes like those suggested above can have a big effect on their long term oral health.

Many parents are unaware that children can also suffer from symptoms of halitosis, better known as chronic bad breath. This common oral problem affects a majority of the population, including both adults and children. During treatment for this condition, it’s worthwhile to focus on the cause of the problem. Take a look at the most common reasons why your child might develop bad breath.

Having constant bad breath can be embarrassing and troublesome. Most often, boys and girls develop halitosis as a side effect of some sort of upper respiratory infection. It may be a common cold, allergies, or flu symptoms.

When the nasal passages are blocked, it’s more likely that your child will breathe through the mouth. Mouth breathing may also occur if your youngster is put on medication that decreases saliva flow. Mouth breathing can make bad breath much worse if there isn’t enough saliva to cleanse the area.

Another cause of halitosis in children can be tonsillitis. When your child’s airway is constricted, he or she is more likely to mouth-breath. When the tissues in your mouth dry out, bacteria will grow and increase in potency. If you notice symptoms of tonsillitis in your child such as a fever, swollen throat, trouble swallowing, chills, or congestion, get your little one to treatment right away.

Halitosis in children is can also be caused by an infection of the mouth. If your child’s teeth or gums are infected, odor will develop if untreated. Infection can occur due to inadequate brushing and flossing, which can lead to gum disease or cavities. If cavities are left untreated, they can develop a strong, noticeable odor. If you think your child has an infection or cavity, contact us and schedule an appointment.

Other causes of halitosis may be certain pungent foods your child eats, or bacteria built up on the tongue. Make sure your son or daughter brushes and flosses thoroughly every day. Some mouthwashes may be beneficial for your child to alleviate bad breath caused by leftover bacteria in the mouth. Other ways of treating of halitosis can vary, based on the cause of the problem.

If you’re unsure about why your child has halitosis, contact our office and we can help you figure out where the issue originated. Remember, masking symptoms of bad breath with gum or mints will be only a temporary fix. Your child’s bad breath problems can be helped with a little investigation from our team! Always feel free to call our office if you are concerned about your child’s oral health.

School’s out and you’ve emptied your gym locker until next fall. But while you’re stowing away the football gear, the basketball warm-ups, the field hockey sticks, and all the other equipment you’ve collected over the school year (that’s where that other shoe went!), be sure to keep one item handy: your mouthguard.

Team and contact sports like football, basketball, and wrestling aren’t the only potential dental dangers. In fact, almost any sport or activity can be made safer when you use your mouthguard.  While you’re keeping active and fit in the summer months, remember to look out for your smile.

• Sports on wheels

Biking, skateboarding, rollerblading—it only takes one fall to make you realize that roads, sidewalks, and concrete are not ideal landing pads. If you do take a spill, using a mouthguard, along with your helmet, will help protect your teeth and jaw.

• Court sports

Handball and tennis are not what we consider contact sports, but an unexpected bounce from a ball, or a completely unexpected backhand from your partner, can lead to dental injuries. Ace your workout and wear a mouthguard.

• Water sports

A fall in the water can lead to a collision with your surfboard or water skis, and water polo often seems to be a game of stamina, accuracy and elbows. Wear your mouthguard on land and sea, and help reduce your chance of dental injury.

• Team sports

Anyone who has played summer league baseball, softball or soccer knows that occasional contact with other players is pretty much a given. Cushioning your head, mouth, and teeth with a mouthguard will not only protect you, but keep you in the game—and your teammates will appreciate that!

If you already use a mouthguard, keep up the good work! If you don’t, talk to us about the importance of protecting your smile with a mouthguard. There are ready-made options available at drug stores and sporting goods shops. These will provide protection to your mouth and teeth, but can sometimes be bulky and uncomfortable and should never be used with braces. If you would like a mouth protector that provides the best fit and comfort, or if you wear braces, we can customize a mouthguard in our office that will be a perfect fit for your teeth and bite.

Whatever activity you choose, play it smart! Don’t gear up without your mouthguard, and you’ll greet next year’s classes energized, fit, and sporting a beautiful smile!