Healthy Foods = Healthy Teeth

When you think of how to care for your smile, you probably picture yourself brushing your teeth. If you’re committed to a great oral healthcare routine, you brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly. But did you know there is another important factor that you could be forgetting when it comes to dental hygiene? What if I told you that every day, you’re unknowingly putting your teeth and gums at risk?

Now that I have your attention, let me tell you the secret I pass along to patients at my office: it’s the food you eat. The munchies, meals, and snacks you consume impact your oral health (positively or negatively) much more than you may guess. Keep reading to learn more about the ways that your diet influences the state of your oral health as well as some dentist-approved foods that will keep you smiling!

A Significant Oral Health Influencer

Brushing and flossing are steps you hopefully take each day to minimize your risk of common dental issues like cavities and gum disease. However, the foods you consume throughout the day will also dictate your chances of being affected by an oral health problem.

Specifically, studies show that consumption of high amounts of sugar has been associated with dramatically increased risks of tooth decay. That’s because the sugar you eat in all your favorite treats like cakes, candies, pies, milkshakes, gum, and much more interact with the bacteria in your mouth, creating acids that eat away at your enamel. Of course, your daily oral healthcare routine will help to clean away some of that pesky sugar; however, limiting your consumption of extra sweet items is a proactive way to lower the likelihood that you’ll be affected by decay or infection.

The Worst Foods for Your Teeth

Okay so sugary foods are bad, however they are not all created equal. Some items can be much more damaging to your oral health, which is why I want you to especially watch out for:

• Hard, sticky, or acidic candies: Items like jawbreakers, taffy, toffee, gummies, and more stay in contact with your teeth for longer periods of time, heightening chances of decay.
• Sodas and sports drinks: These beverages automatically coat the teeth in sugar.
• Bread and chips: Watch out for your favorite snack foods. While they aren’t sweet, they are loaded with starch, which quickly becomes sugar.

Eat This Grub Instead!

You’ve heard the bad, now let me tell you the good! Many foods won’t damage your smile, but some delicious fare can actually improve your oral health. These include:

• Fiber-rich fruits and veggies: These items are already good for your body, but they also keep your teeth clean! Apples and celery act as natural toothbrushes, scrubbing away lingering plaque. Additionally, leafy greens and pears get your saliva flowing, which helps wash away pesky bacteria.
• Water-filled fruits and veggies: Some produce, like cucumbers, watermelon, and pears are great sources of water intake. As a result, they can rinse the mouth of bacteria and bits of food from your teeth.
• Low-fat dairy: Cheese is another saliva-producer, plus it creates a waxy coat on your teeth to protect them from acids (pro tip). Also, calcium and phosphates from milk and other dairy products help remineralize and fortify your teeth.
• Water: Instead of all those sugary coffees, sodas, sports drinks, and more, reach for some water. This amazing liquid stimulates saliva flow to wash away food debris and plaque. Plus, most tap water contains fluoride – a natural cavity-fighting mineral.

As with anything, practice makes perfect! Now that you know the secret to a strong smile, watch out for sugar and start incorporating these tooth-friendly foods into your diet for the best oral health.