Tooth-Friendly Diet

At All Coast Dental, we see it as our responsibility to share information to help our patients make good choices regarding their dental health and good dental health begins with a well-balanced diet. While a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and unsaturated fats will benefit your overall health, there are a few stand out foods and nutrients that can really boost your oral health as well.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “milk builds strong bones and teeth.” This is true because calcium prevents against tooth decay. Calcium is found in foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt as well as in fish and some vegetables such as kale and broccoli. Crunchy fruits and vegetables – like apples, pears, celery, and carrots – act as a detergent on teeth, wiping away bacteria that can cause plaque. We don’t have to tell you to stay away from sugary snacks, but even healthy foods have sugars in them. Therefore, no matter what you eat it’s always important to brush and floss afterward and remember to visit us twice a year for checkups.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.  

How to Reduce Dental Plaque

Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates, such as soft drinks, cakes, candy, etc. are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acid as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. This is why our doctors at All Coast Dental want patients to know how they can reduce dental plaque to avoid dental decay in the future.

To prevent cavity causing plaque you must first pay attention to your diet. Since plaque needs carbohydrates to form acid, the fewer carbs you eat as in between meal snacks, the better. Avoid candy, cookies, and other sweet things as much as possible in order to prevent plaque from producing acid which demineralizes tooth enamel. If you need a snack, choose nutritious foods such as plain yogurt, nuts, cheese, fruit or raw veggies. Vegetables such as celery help remove food and help saliva neutralize the acids made by plaque.  In addition, the best thing you can do to reduce dental plaque is brush and floss twice a day. Brushing removes plaque that has built up on your teeth while flossing removes plaque from between your teeth. Last but not least, you should be scheduling professional cleanings with us twice a year.

If you are due for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.  

Diet and Dental Health

Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay; therefore the foods you eat and how frequently you eat them can affect your general health and the health of your teeth and gums. Our doctors at All Coast Dental can’t monitor your every dietary move, but they can suggest some tips for you to keep in mind when choosing your meals and snacks.

Almost all foods, including milk and vegetables, contain some type of sugar; however, they are a necessary part of a healthy diet because many of them also contain important nutrients. The best food choices for the health of your mouth include cheeses, chicken, or other meats, nuts, and milk. These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited in tooth enamel after being removed by acids). Calcium-fortified juices, milk, and other dairy products are rich in calcium and vitamin D and help promote healthy teeth and bones, reducing the risk of tooth loss. Cheese unleashes a burst of calcium that mixes with plaque and sticks to the teeth, protecting them from the acid that causes decay and helping rebuild tooth enamel on the spot.

If you have questions regarding diet and oral health, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our practice, visit www.allcoastdental.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, CA, call 858-270-4904.