We all know how important a healthy diet is for maintaining our physical and even mental health. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein is praised for keeping those extra pounds off and giving us sustained energy throughout the day.
What You Eat Can Effect Your Dental Health
Did you know that what we eat, and don’t eat for that matter, also has a direct effect on our dental health? Read more to find out how you can make changes to your diet that will improve your dental and overall health.
Added Sugars
Think of your mouth, teeth, and gums as the first step in the digestion process. The food you eat comes in contact with your teeth and gums first. Consuming sugary foods and beverages has a direct impact on your teeth — bacteria in your mouth feed on carbohydrates, releasing acids that lead to tooth decay. Empty calorie foods like candy, cookies, cakes, and muffins promote this process. Sweetened drinks do the same, coating your teeth and providing a banquet for bacteria to feast on.
Foods For Dental Health
So, what should you eat? To help keep your teeth strong and gums healthy, foods that are high in calcium and other nutrients are recommended. These foods include cheese, milk, plain yogurt, calcium-fortified tofu, leafy greens, and almonds. Protein-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are also rich in phosphorus, which helps protect and rebuild tooth enamel.
The high water content in fruits and vegetables balances out the sugar to help clean the teeth. These foods also stimulate saliva production. Why is this important? Saliva helps wash harmful acids and food particles from the teeth. It also helps neutralize acids that can promote tooth decay.
We like to help our patients maintain good overall health along with their dental health. Reminders like these can help us all stay on track with choosing food and drinks that promote long-term health. Please let us know if you have any questions, we look forward to seeing you at your next visit!