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Den's Dental Blog

Hello! My name is Den. This blog is going to cover a range of dental topics. I am not a dentist or a dental nurse but I have recently undergone a lot of dental treatment. This treatment has given me a great insight into the world of dentistry and I would like to share everything I have learnt with you here. Last year, I developed terrible pain in my mouth. I was diagnosed with severe tooth decay. The dentist removed the problem teeth and then inserted false ones in their place. He also whitened my teeth to improve my smile. I hope you find my blog useful.

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How to Enjoy Fruit Without Damaging Your Teeth

by Myrtle Banks

Fruit is part of a healthy diet, but it contains natural sugars and acids that could contribute to tooth decay. Here are a few tips for eating fruit without putting your dental health at risk.

Eat Whole Fruit

Whole fruits contain a lot of sugar, but those sugars are bound up with fiber and water, which could reduce the risk they pose to your teeth.  The fiber in fruits such as apples and pears can even scrub stains from the surfaces of the teeth, giving you a brighter smile. Studies show that people who consume plenty of fresh fruit usually have low levels of cavities, so feel free to much on all your favourite fruits throughout the day.

Limit Fruit Juice

Fruit juice contains none of the fiber found in whole fruit, but it retains all the sugar. Although fruit juice is often thought of as a healthy drink, it's better to eat whole fruit and drink water instead. If you give fruit juice to your kids, dilute it with water to reduce the concentration of sugar and protect their teeth.

Restrict Dried Fruit

Dried fruit contains as much sugar and acid as fresh fruit, but these substances are packed into a smaller space. Therefore, it's easy to consume more sugar than you mean to when snacking on dried fruits like raisins, dried apricots or dried mango. Some manufacturers even add sugar to dried fruit to make it even sweeter. Dried fruit is also very sticky, which means it can lodge itself in your molars and continue to feed the bacteria that grow in your mouth. Try to get most of your fruit intake from fresh or frozen fruit, rather than dried options.

Don't Brush Right Away

The acids in certain types of fruit, particularly citruses like oranges and lemons, can slightly soften tooth enamel. If you brush your teeth immediately after eating fruit, you could wear down the enamel, leaving your teeth at greater risk of sensitivity and decay. Instead of brushing immediately after eating fruit, rinse your mouth with water to wash away the acid and then wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.

Look After Your Teeth

Keeping your teeth healthy requires more than a healthy diet. You also need to brush and floss daily and see your dentist for regular checkups. As long as you keep your teeth clean and don't neglect your dental visits, you can safely enjoy fruit as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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