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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health

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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health

Like many people who need to lose a few pounds, I try diet after diet in an attempt to find one that finally works for me. I learned the hard way that I need to make sure any diet will not harm my teeth, even if it does help me lose a few pounds. I learned this lesson when following a grapefruit diet. There are many versions of this, but the version I tried had me eat a grapefruit alone several times each day. It was supposed to suppress my appetite. I helped keep me from munching on unhealthy snacks, but the acid in the fruit took a toll on my tooth enamel and I quickly started getting lots of cavities. I created this blog to remind people that change up their diets often to make sure the foods they are eating are not harming their teeth.

How To Have Staining Foods And Drinks And Still Keep Your Teeth And Crowns Looking Good

28 March 2019
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

When you get a new dental crown or veneer, you might not be thinking about preventing tooth stains -- you're too busy being happy with your new tooth. But staining can be a problem, especially when you have a crown on a natural tooth, because the stain can make the tooth turn different shades as the tooth enamel and crown material take on different levels of stain. You don't have to avoid staining foods and drinks like berries and tea; however, you should take a few extra steps to ensure that your teeth retain their brightness and consistent shading.

Drink Some Water Afterward

Tea, coffee, wine, berries, and anything else that's kind of acidic (the acids can weaken enamel temporarily, allowing staining compounds to set in) can be delicious, but you may want to follow the foods and drinks with some plain water. That water will help wash away bits of food or staining liquids that are still hanging out on your teeth. While teeth tend to color over time, that water rinse helps slow down the gradual advance of color due to food and drink.

Improve Your Flossing Technique

Berry bits and other food debris can get caught between your teeth, so flossing becomes extra important. And, you want to improve your flossing technique so that you get everything out from between your teeth. Leaving bits of debris from stain-promoting food behind only increases the chances of a little stain forming on your tooth or crown.

Add "Cleaning" Foods

Another tactic is to add "cleaning" foods to your diet if you don't eat them already. Foods like cheese not only contain tooth-healthy calcium, but they also help physically move staining food debris out of the way.

Ask About Whitening Toothpastes

You can also ask your dentist about whitening toothpastes you can use at home that might have an effect on crown material. Many of these toothpastes are mildly abrasive and can be used easily on natural tooth enamel, but you have to be sure that the paste will also work on the crown, to maintain a more even shade across the whole tooth. You also need to be sure you're using the paste correctly, and your dentist can help you with that technique.

And finally, don't forget your teeth cleaning appointments. Those times in the dentist's chair actually help reduce stain and locate problem areas quickly. Your dentist has a range of treatments that can help keep your teeth and that new crown looking a lot better.