Tips on teeth you may not know!

Think Calcium!

You’ve heard it before: calcium does a body good. You probably didn’t know that much of that good goes straight to the mouth. It’s essential for tooth and bone development. A calcium-deficient diet means less jawbone mass—which can lead to painful fractures and permanent tooth loss. Dairy products, tofu, and green, leafy vegetables are great sources of calcium.

Tastes great! Fewer fillings!

Guess what? Kids who chew gum have fewer cavities. It’s true! Studies show that schoolchildren who chew sugarless gum have fewer problems with tooth decay. How so? Chewing gum increases saliva flow. Which, in turn, lowers acidity in the mouth. And the simple act of chewing helps clean up plaque buildup. Neat tip, eh?

Soft Drinks—Hard on Teeth

So-called soft drinks don’t do teeth any favors. Not even diet soda. Because sugar isn’t the main culprit! It’s carbonic acid—the “fizzy” that can be deadly to tooth enamel. A sugary, uncarbonated drink like Kool-Aid is actually easier on teeth than, say, Diet Pepsi. Of course, a regular (real “full sugar”) soft drink just adds insult to injury. If you can’t resist soda pop, rinse your mouth with water afterward.