Today’s Americans, especially teens and young adults are consuming high-sugar foods and drinks more often and in larger portions than ever before. Now everyone enjoys a sweet treat now and then (it adds to the pleasure of life), but there is an extra risk for tooth decay if your diet is too high in sugars and starches. Here are a few handy “Tooth Tips” to keep in mind:

• Consume your sweets during or immediately after meals. Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acid production by rinsing food from the mouth.
• Limit between-meal snacks. If you do snack, choose nutritious foods and consider chewing sugarless gum afterwards (it increases saliva flow and helps wash out foods and acids).
• Drink more water – ideally fluoridated water – to prevent tooth decay, remembering especially to rinse with water after consuming a sugary snack to reduce the exposure time of sugar on tooth.
• As always, brush at least twice daily and floss every day.