Professionals at Serenity Smiles Dental Care don't state that favorite candies or sugary desserts should never be eaten. However, they do recommend ways to counteract sugar and acids on teeth.
Murfreesboro City Lifestyle asked Serenity's founder, Kesha Burns, DDS, in Murfreesboro for specific advice about how to best handle dental health when it comes to daily food and drinks. She expertly obliged, indicating it's all about moderation:
- Eating fresh fruits and vegetables can help keep teeth clean. If drinking soda, it's better to have it with a meal, then rinse with water afterward. Don't sip on a sugary or acidic beverage all day, such as soda, sports drinks and energy drinks.
- When eating something sugary or highly acidic the plaque biofilm (bacteria) in mouths multiply rapidly. That’s why your mouth feels fuzzy after consuming candy or soda. It takes 20 minutes for your mouth to go back to a healthy neutral pH. If you sip on a giant soda all day, you cannot return to a healthy environment; this is when cavities develop.
- The best sugar substitute for dental health is Xylitol, which reduces bacteria, which reduces risk of dental decay. It also can be useful for patients with dry mouth. It’s very popular in gum, such as Trident or Spry.
- Make sure to brush teeth twice a day.
To maintain optimal oral health for life, Dr. Burns states this dental team provides a wide array of dental services including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, sedation dentistry, as well as emergency dental services. Additional services include amalgam replacement; botox for cosmetic outcomes; dental anxiety solutions; dermal fillers for dental; and emface and exion facial esthetics treatment.
"At the core of our practice is the belief that building trust with our patients is paramount. This commitment to fostering long-term relationships is what sets Serenity Smiles apart. We take the time to understand each patient’s oral health history, concerns and goals, ensuring that they feel confident and informed every step of the way," she says.
More to note for patients are foods that are beneficial for dental health include: Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, broccoli, celery, apples, raspberries, lentils, avocados and carrots. Additionally, some fruits and vegetables have natural fluoride, such as apples, bananas, strawberries, cherries, russet potatoes, walnuts, cashews and almonds.
Drinks helpful to teeth health include tea black/green, which also contains natural fluoride. Milk is a good source of calcium, but contains sugars, so rinse with water after drinking it. Water is the top neutralizer, so Dr. Burns suggests checking bottled water pH content to get as close to neutral 7 as possible.
More Tips For Occasionally Enjoying Drinks That Aren't The Best For Teeth:
- Drink them through a straw to minimize acids’ and sugars’ contact with teeth.
- Consume them in one sitting.
- Drink dark drinks with fibrous fruits and vegetables to minimize staining.
- Don’t brush teeth immediately after drinking acidic and sugary drinks; toothbrushes can damage tooth enamel while it’s vulnerable.
- Give saliva a half hour to mount a natural defense first.
Dr. Burns holds a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center and her early career was with the National Health Service Corps.
Serenity Smiles Dental Care offers a full range of dental treatments, from preventive care and routine check-ups to advanced cosmetic and restorative procedures. Their services are designed to meet the comprehensive needs of patients, encompassing everything from tooth decay treatment and deep cleanings to clear aligners and solutions for extensive cosmetic concerns and tooth loss.
"We’re equipped with cutting-edge technology to enhance diagnoses and achieve effective results, ensuring each patient receives the highest standard of care tailored to their specific needs," Br. Burns assures. "We take pride in creating a warm, professional environment where patients feel right at home."
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