Do you always have an iced tea or sweetened coffee with you during the day? Are you known to snack often between meals? Is there a stash of candy hiding in your desk that you reach for to break up the monotony of work? Do you find yourself snacking throughout your day instead of eating meals at regular intervals? These habits can have permanent ramifications on more than your waistline. Sipping and snacking all day can increase your chance of tooth decay.
So…what can you do about it? Follow these steps to help reduce your chances of tooth decay:
1. Trade sugary drinks for water.
2. Reduce between-meal snacking.
3. If you want a sweet treat, eat it with a meal. More saliva is produced during a meal and can help to “rinse” your mouth from sugars.
4. Chew sugarless gum with xylitol which can increase saliva, clean your teeth, and reduce your chances of getting a cavity.
5. Brush and floss regularly.
6. Schedule regular checkups with your dentist.
We know that breaking a habit can be hard. In fact, research says it takes a minimum of 21 days to do this. That means there’s no time like the present to get started! Stop sipping and snacking throughout your day so you can lessen your chances of tooth decay. And give us a call to help you with #6 on this list! We’re here to help you and your teeth!
