Is Your Bread Habit Ruining Your Gums?

Unfortunately, you’ve been hearing for years about how your bread habit can be leading to your struggle to lose weight, it can also be causing problems with your smile. If you consume bread with every meal, you may be increasing your chance of periodontal disease. But just cutting out bread isn’t going to improve the health of your gums. Here are 3 ways to improve your smile & still be able to enjoy your specialty sandwich.

1.     Brush your teeth once you have consumed bread. The longer that bread stays on your teeth the more opportunity bacteria have to begin attacking your smile. If you brush right after you eat, you’re removing the harmful bacteria from mixing with the sugars in your mouth.

2.     Drink water in between eating bread. The more saliva or water you have in your mouth, the easier it is to rinse the bread from your teeth. Dr. Denine Rice says, “The key is not having food or carbohydrates stuck on your teeth for one second longer than necessary.” Water can ensure this occurs.

3.     Chew sugar free gum in between brushing and after consuming bread. The gum can help increase the amount of saliva in your mouth, but it also can help to rinse food from your teeth and gums.

For more information on how to keep your smile on track, contact Periodontist Dr. Rice & her team today.