What, When, How to Eat

Stay away from the cookies, candies, sweet tea! This has been a persistent thought amongst many to prevent cavities. It has been reported that it’s the frequency of exposure to any carbohydrate that can cause tooth decay. Oral bacteria that causes decay does not discriminate from the source of the carb, it could be candy or bread. It has also been reported that one should limit carb-centric snacking and snacking throughout the day even on healthy foods like dairy, whole grains, and fruit. To help control caries and erosion risks, limiting snacking, having brief mealtimes, rinsing with water after meals, using straws with sweetened and acidic drinks, and chewing sugar-free gum can help. Watching what you eat, when you eat, and how often you eat are very important. We encourage brushing twice a day, flossing, and using a mouth rinse to ensure that 100% of the oral cavity is clean, but “you can brush five times a day, and it will still be tough to compete with that constant bathing of your mouth in carbs”-Amr Moursi, DDS, PhD.

Information in this article relating to nutrition was obtained from AGD Impact, May 2022, vol. 50, no. 5