skip to main content
TRICAREĀ® Dental Program
Dentists Government
United Concordia Website TRICARE Website
Log in to My Account
    • Eligibility
    • Ways to Enroll
    • National Guard and Reserve
    • What's Covered
    • Dental Costs
    • TDP for survivors
    • FAQs
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
Dentists Government

Current Disaster Alerts: Arizona Flooding, West Virginia Flooding, Kentucky Flooding, Missouri Flooding, California Oak Fire, Texas Chalk Mountain Fire

United Concordia is dedicated to helping our TDP enrollees throughout the country who have been impacted by a disasters. We realize you are wrestling with many issues and concerns in light of the current situation - your dental care shouldn’t be one of them. 

If your dental treatment has been impacted by a recent disaster, please contact United Concordia’s disaster line at 1-800-858-0051 to locate a dentist, coordinate benefits, and answer any questions regarding dental coverage. Please let us know you’ve been affected by the disasters when you call.

Food and oral health

How you eat can impact your oral health. Snacking frequently between meals, for example, increases your teeth’s exposure to sugars and acids left behind by foods, which feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay (cavities). The more often you eat, the more often your teeth are at risk.

Eat in moderation

Sugar, found in foods like candy, baked goods and even fruit, is exactly what the bacteria living in the plaque in your mouth needs to eat to produce acid. Acids can dissolve tooth enamel and cause tooth decay or cavities. For this same reason, foods that are high in acidity like citrus fruits, condiments and fresh or processed meats, can lead to poor oral health.1 Foods that are hard or chewy also can be tough on the teeth. Hard foods can damage the enamel of your teeth while you chew. Sticky or chewy foods can get stuck between your teeth, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.

Enjoy for oral health

Foods that are high in calcium, like yogurt, cheese and sour cream, are good for the health of your teeth, as calcium is one of the essential building blocks of enamel.2 Many foods are calcium-fortified, like tofu and cereals, so these options can be added even to diets that don’t allow for dairy products. Vegetables are always good options for whole body health. Fruits are, too; just keep up with your brushing and flossing to counteract the acidity of citrus fruits. Fruit and vegetables are high in fiber and water, which is a good balance for the naturally occurring sugars in some foods. Chewing these foods stimulate the production of saliva, which helps to wash away food particles, acid and sugar leftover after you eat.

 

The TRICARE Dental Program has you covered

Read more about the importance of dental care by accessing the library of TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) oral care pamphlets.

 

Sources:

1 Nutrition: What You Eat Affects Your Teeth; American Dental Association, Mouth Healthy, American Dental Association, 2018

2 Smart Snacks for Healthy Teeth; Colgate, 2018

 
  • Webmaster
  • Contact Us Contact Us Contact Us
  • Request ID Card
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Practices Privacy Practices Privacy Practices
  • Integrity Process Integrity Process Integrity Process
  • Site Map Site Map Site Map
 

 
 

Copyright © 2022 United Concordia Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.