Are All Carbs Created Equal?

Most people know that the sugar in candy, cookies, juices and sodas can harm your teeth, but some people don’t realize that all carbohydrates can cause cavities. As we’ll describe in this post from Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover, a handful of pretzels or a piece of pumpernickel bread can have the same effect on your teeth as a fudge brownie.

All carbohydrates break down into simple sugars, which are converted into plaque, which can then cause cavities and gum disease. Carbs are naturally sticky and adhere to your teeth. Eating carbs with meals is healthier than eating them as snacks because more saliva is generated at mealtime. Saliva helps prevent food particles from sticking to teeth.

Another way people can improve their oral health is to get plenty of calcium: 800mg a day for men and 1,000mg for women under 50. Calcium helps strengthen your jaw and secure your teeth firmly in the jaw bone.

At Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover, we want all our patients to enjoy clean teeth and healthy smiles. Our services include general and restorative dentistry. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley also come to us for cosmetic dentistry. Contact us today!