Dental Care
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Alvin Amante, DDS, distinguished himself as a former instructor of pediatric dentistry at the University of Rochester’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health in upstate New York. Also a former site director for the Institute’s SMILEMobile program, which brings dental care to children from under-resourced families, Alvin Amante, DDS, now applies his knowledge of pediatric oral health as a private practitioner.
Just as sugary and starchy foods can be harmful to a child’s teeth, so does healthy eating promote good oral health. Crisp vegetables, for example, naturally clean plaque off of teeth and help to keep bacteria from gathering in between brushings. Citrus-rich fruits have a similar effect in that they actively kill bacteria and keep teeth rich in healthy collagen. In general, the best produce choices for teeth are those that are high in water content and low in sugar.
Dairy products such as yogurt and cheese also serve to protect against cavities, as these foods lower the acid levels that promote decay. These foods offer the further benefit of calcium, which repairs enamel and strengthens bone around the teeth, while providing the teeth with a protective coating. The beneficial fats in nuts and seeds, moreover, which contain concentrations of calcium in addition to oils, also help to coat teeth and strengthen enamel.
Alvin Amante, DDS 