Monthly Archives: October 2015

Foods & Drinks to Avoid | Boca Raton Dentist

General Dentistry, Oral Health, , , , , , ,


A woman is eating an apple outsideBrushing and flossing are the two best ways to avoid tooth decay, but what you eat and drink also plays a part. Tooth decay is caused by acids eating away at tooth enamel, and those acids are typically produced by bacteria on the surface of teeth and beneath the gums. Certain foods and drinks can either combat or contribute to tooth decay, and knowing the difference can help you manage your risk.

The foods and drinks that contribute to tooth decay typically fall into one of two categories – either high in sugar (which provides food for bacterial colonies), or high in acid, which weakens enamels. Examples of these foods and drinks are easy to come by:
– Sugary sweets (such as candy) and refined carbohydrates (such as chips, bread, and pasta) are likely to linger in your mouth, feeding bacteria
– Soda and sugary drinks can be both acidic and sugary, contributing both to stronger bacteria colonies and weakening the enamel that protects the teeth.
– Lemons, oranges, tomatoes, and their juices all have some sugar, but are very acidic – eating or drinking them is fine, but you should avoid sucking on lemon wedges for extended periods of time, as the acid is strong enough to erode enamel very quickly.

Much like some foods can cause tooth decay, there are also foods that can help fight tooth decay. Typically, these are foods that are fiber or calcium rich, and low in sugar and acid. Examples include:
– Foods like celery require a lot of chewing, which produces saliva, which helps wash other food particles off of teeth
– Foods like milk, cheese, and plain yogurt provide important minerals that will help strengthen your teeth.
– Sugarless gum (containing Xylitol) will stimulate saliva to help wash food particles from your mouth, and the Xylitol will actually help fight the bacterial colonies within your mouth.
– Like xylitol, green and black teas suppress bacteria within the mouth

While it may not be practical to avoid all sugary and acidic foods, knowing that they can contribute to tooth decay allows you to take steps to mitigate the risk. After eating or drinking sugary or acidic foods, brushing and flossing can help remove the sugars and acids to keep bacteria and tooth decay away.

For more information on oral health contact Dr. Rosenbuch at (561) 394-7888 or visit our website at https://cliverosenbuschdds.com/

Halloween Candy | BOCA RATON DENTIST

General Dentistry, Halloween Candy, , , , , , , , ,


A halloween scene with bats flying over the house.Halloween is fast approaching. We know consuming candy is pretty much unavoidable. You ca, however, eat candy responsibly!

Not all sweets are created equal. Some can wreak havoc on your teeth. We’ve got a list of the best and worst candy for your oral health.

The Worst Offenders:

• Sticky, chewy snacks like caramel, gummy bears, salt water taffy and even dried fruit get stuck in the teeth easily. The general rule is that the stickier the candy, the worse it is for your teeth. Delta Dental’s survey says 57 percent of kids eat chewy candy at Halloween.

• Candy corn is laden with sugar that produces acid that eats away at your teeth.

• Sour candies have high acid levels that break down tooth enamel, especially the soft enamel of young children.

• Hard candies stay in your mouth for a long time, drenching it in sugar.

• Jawbreakers actually are hard enough to chip your teeth!

The Best Choices:

• Sugar-free lollipops stimulate saliva production, which flushes away bacteria from your teeth, tongue and gums. Delta Dental’s survey says 44 percent of kids eat sugar-free candy at Halloween.

• Chocolate melts quickly. Choose your favorite variety: milk, dark or white. Be sure to choose the plain variety because chocolate with fillings, such as nuts or caramel, are more harmful to your teeth. Delta Dental’s survey says 86 percent of kids eat chocolate at Halloween.

• Peanut butter cups are similar to chocolate in that they disappear fast.

• Sugar-free gum helps dislodge food particles and stimulate saliva production(Source: chron.com).

Be sure to practice your oral care routine after consuming candy. Candy left sitting on your teeth can produce damaging bacteria. We’re guessing you don’t want to see the dentists drill on your next visit.

For more information on oral health & Halloween candy contact Dr. Rosenbuch at (561) 394-7888 or visit our website at https://cliverosenbuschdds.com/