Foods To Eat For Better Oral Health

A well-balanced diet is important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but did you know that the foods we eat also affect our dental health? Good oral hygiene is also promoted by eating foods from all food groups every day. In addition to providing essential nutrients for overall health, a balanced diet includes fruits, vegetables, protein sources such as meat or beans for muscle building, and grains such as rice or quinoa with dairy for optimal oral care.

Foods That Promote Good Oral Health

• Fruits and vegetables are the foundation of a healthy smile. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants present in fruit can help prevent tooth decay. The fiber in many fruits, like apples, berries, and pears, helps clean your teeth of plaque buildup by providing food for the teeth and gums. Vitamin C-rich fruits are especially recommended. Vitamin C can significantly improve your gum health. Examples of these fruits and vegetables include broccoli, spinach, oranges, and tomatoes.
• Both our food and toothpaste contain phosphorus, a mineral that is essential for maintaining healthy dental care since it provides the minerals to protect your pearly whites from decay caused by acidic bacteria that build up on the surfaces of the mouth (e.g., soda).
• Foods that contain calcium can also help keep teeth healthy. Calcium is the main component of bones and teeth. A healthy diet should include calcium-rich foods, such as low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt (or Greek yogurt), and cheese. Other sources of calcium include tofu containing calcium sulfate, which is a good alternative if you cannot consume dairy products.

Snacking and Your Oral Health

Keeping your mouth healthy can be accomplished by snacking, but not too frequently. Eating constantly increases the risk of cavities and makes other dental problems worse!Be careful what you eat between meals and snacks. Over time, sugary treats damage teeth by introducing acid into the mouth. By choosing raw vegetables and fruits instead, you will be able to avoid these types of foods.Here are some alternatives to sugary treats:

• On the go, carrots, celery, and apples are perfect for keeping your mouth's teeth clean. With their crunchy texture, they act like an extra toothbrush.
• Cheese, yogurt, and nuts all contain calcium and phosphorus, which are great for our teeth. Minerals such as these are needed to repair tooth enamel, the protective layer of material on top of the teeth, which can become thicker when exposed to certain foods.
• Oatcakes
• Hummus
• Sugar-free peanut butter

Tips To Keep Teeth Strong When Snacking

1. If possible, use a straw when you need something cold or slurp it up from the top of an upright cup instead.
2. Brush your teeth after a half-hour.
3. Avoid sugary snacks, especially those that stick to the surface of the teeth like chips, candy, and cookies.
4. Drinking milk before bed can strengthen your teeth's enamel, making them less likely to decay.
5. Avoid snacking before bed.

Schedule an appointment today with Esthetic Family Dentistry and make sure your teeth stay clean!