At Hardin Dental in Mason, Ohio we care about your Diet and Dental Health

Summer is almost here and all of us are trying to get in shape. Let’s try to get our mouths in shape this summer too. Good health begins in our mouth.

I’m not talking about toning up, dieting or anything else that is so ambitious. What I suggest is that you observe your diet over these summer months.

Here is the project I propose. Take the next three summer months and keep a food/beverage journal. Simply make a log of what you eat and drink and when you consume it. This usually gives people a pretty good insight into areas they might be able to improve nutritionally.

In terms of your dental health, you may want to evaluate when you eat and drink certain items. It is commonly known that sugar causes tooth decay. So, you should know that a good habit is to brush within 20 minutes of eating a big sugary snack and always before bedtime. Your mouth dries out during rest and this is the time acid erodes your teeth. Acids caused by sugar breaking down attack the teeth for up to 20 minutes. Keeping a food journal will help you track your diet and show you when you are most susceptible to tooth decay.

Also, watch for soda intake. Soda causes a lot more harm to teeth if you sip it several times throughout the day. It is the number of times that you drink from it that increases your risk for tooth decay. So if you want to drink a soda choose diet or drink it within minutes rather than sipping it throughout the day. Better yet, drink water. Water helps wash foods from the mouth, thus diluting the effect of sugars on the teeth. This will help hydrate you and keep you feeling full and away from sugary snacks. Staying away from soda will be one of the best ways to lose some extra pounds for the summer. You will learn more about yourself if you try this summer journal. No need to be perfect. Just give it a try and I would be happy to review it at your next hygiene visit. Let’s give it a try for the summer.