As the battle against COVID-19 continues, you’ve probably spent more time at home than ever before. With all the extra time on your hands, you may find yourself snacking more than often. To prevent a dental emergency, though, it’s important that you monitor what you’re eating. As you continue reading, an emergency dentist in Mount Vernon lists some foods that you should either limit your consumption of or avoid all together.
Reconsider Eating Sticky Snacks
As tempting as it may be to indulge in your favorite sticky, chewy delight, it may not be the best idea to consume these types of items. One of the main problems is the residue they leave behind that clings to your teeth and along the gum line. As the leftovers sit, oral bacteria rush to them to feed, which then leads to plaque development. If you still choose to eat these types of foods, then you should be sure to brush and floss your teeth as soon as you’re done.
Avoid Popcorn Kernels and be Careful Eating Nuts
When you’re watching a movie with the family, it only seems right to munch on some delicious popcorn. This is perfectly fine as long as you stay away from the unpopped kernels. Not only can they pose a choking hazard, but they can also crack or break a tooth. So to protect yourself, it’s best to avoid them.
Nuts are little different, as they are chewable. Still, if you eat the harder kinds, like almonds, Brazil or macadamia nuts, you should only eat small bites and be careful when chewing.
Ease-up on the Sugar
Sugar may be the biggest nemesis of your dental health. That’s because it is the primary source of food for oral bacteria. Although treating yourself to a sweet delight may provide a temporary mood lift, the short- and long-term problems aren’t fun to deal with.
Eating foods and snacks high in sugar contribute to rapid plaque growth, which can lead to an uncomfortable toothache or advance the symptoms of gum disease. Down the road, overconsumption of sugar can even lead to tooth loss, especially in cases of dental negligence.
Here are some healthier alternatives to consider:
- Chew on a stick of sugar-free gum when you have a sugar craving.
- Drink more water to satiate any false hunger signals and aid in flushing debris from your mouth.
- Step-up your protein intake (chicken, turkey, tuna, eggs) as it will help to control your urges to eat sugary snacks.
- Replace processed snacks with fruits, as the sugars they contain are far less detrimental to your oral and overall health.
America will soon get past COVID-19, but while sheltering in place, following these guidelines will help you avoid a dental emergency and preserve the health of your teeth and gums.
About the Author
A graduate of West Virginia University, Dr. James Leon has three decades of experience as a dentist. Throughout his career, he has always placed an emphasis on educating his patients so they can be empowered. During the COVID-19 crisis, Dr. Leon is only providing emergency dental care, but as soon as the virus curve flattens, he’ll be back offering a full array of services. He practices at Cross Creek Dental Care, and he can be reached for more information through his website.