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Your mouth is the first place your body comes in contact with the nutrients you consume. So, the food or drinks you put in your mouth can affect your general health, teeth, and gums. If your nutrition is poor and you do not take your oral health seriously, it can be noticeable in your mouth.  The best advice you can get is from your affordable Miami Dentist if you’re unsure what to avoid. 

Some Foods Can Cause Damage 

The job of your dentist is to educate you about oral health and how you can have a healthy, beautiful smile. You may want to limit foods or drinks that can damage your oral region and cause gum disease. Your gums are as important as your teeth; they deserve the same respect and, most importantly, care. 

Which Foods and Drinks Should We Avoid?

Sugar causes plaque to form on your teeth, which leads to enamel erosion and gum disease if left unchecked. Let´s examine the most common foods and drinks we consume that can negatively affect our health. 

• Ice Cream: This frozen dessert is extremely high in sugar content. 
• Tomatoes: The tomato juice is highly acidic. Its acid wears away gums and promotes decay. For this reason, the dentist recommends pairing it with other food like tuna, chicken, and lentils to neutralize. 
• Oranges: This fruit, like grapefruits, lemons, and limes, is acidic and high in natural fruit sugar, which can damage and erode teeth and gums.  
• Bread: Bread, crackers, and chips are full of starches made from white flour; these are not friends of your gums. 
• Sports drinks: These are high in sugar and acid, so they can erode gums and promote tooth decay. Ingredients in these beverages can affect your health.  
• Coffee, Tea, and Alcohol: These drinks reduce saliva flow, which can contribute to gum disease. 

You don´t have to stop eating the meals you love, but you must be conscious of them. 

Talk to Your Affordable Miami Dentist to Know More About Protecting Your Gums!

At LP Dental and Cosmetic, we believe that patient education is crucial to keeping your dental health. Feel free to make an appointment and ask your dentist in Miami about gum disease and overall oral health. Please schedule an appointment today.  

Coffee feels like an essential part of the day – it helps us wake up in the morning and feel ready to take on the day. Daily coffee drinking may be suitable for your emotional and physical health, but this habit can affect your mouth, teeth, and gums.  

If you are a habitual coffee drinker, it would help if you underwent regular cleanings and exams with your West Miami Dentist to protect your smile.  

Can Coffee Negatively Affect your Smile?

Coffee may be the nectar of the gods, but it is also the enemy of a white smile. Coffee stains your teeth because of molecules called tannin. You can brush your teeth or drink water to remove most of the tannins, but they also leave behind slight discoloration. 

Other Issues Caused by Coffee

Many people say, “whatever, still worth it.” Of all the things you can do to help brighten your smile, giving up coffee doesn’t have to be the habit you quit. Stick to one or two cups of coffee (or tea) daily and brush and floss regularly to avoid severe staining. Some other issues that come from coffee include: 

Tooth Stains

Drinking multiple cups every day can make your teeth severely discolored and stained. 

Enamel Erosion

Coffee doesn’t just affect the color of your teeth. Excessive consumption of this beverage can also erode the tooth enamel. The various acids in coffee can eat through and erode your enamel, allowing food particles and bacteria to seep into the teeth. 

Dry Mouth

Unfortunately, drinking a lot of caffeinated coffee will dry out the mouth, decreasing the saliva production necessary for oral health. Saliva is an essential part of your oral hygiene. It keeps your mouth moist and helps rinse food particles and bacteria.  

Stress-Related Dental Disorders

Drinking a lot of coffee can stimulate your nervous system, making you feel stress and anxiety. 

Some of the oral conditions caused by stress are jaw issues, poor oral hygiene, and sores. These can be brought on by stress. Coffee works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a brain chemical that makes you feel tired. It is known for increasing alertness and energy. Drinking a lot of coffee can stimulate your nervous system. 

Contact Your West Miami Dentist at LP Dental & Cosmetic

Protect your smile by brushing, drinking plenty of water, and never skipping your dental checkup with your West Miami dentist. If you’re still unhappy with the brightness of your teeth, book an appointment. Get in touch today!