What you eat can impact the health of the tissues in your mouth. This can, in turn, affect the nutrients consumed. While it’s no secret that diet and oral health have a bidirectional relationship, how far can the impact go? Everything you consume, from sugary to acidic foods, could impact your oral health far more than you realize.
Most people think regular brushing and flossing can mitigate the impact of what they consume daily. But while that can reduce some of the adverse effects, it is not a holistic solution to maintaining oral health. Oral issues like decay and gum disease can occur when you’re not thinking of optimal foods for dental health. But if you’re looking to change your nutritional habits, keep reading to find out the best foods for your teeth and gums, as backed by scientific evidence:
Nutrition and Food: What’s the Link?
Before getting into foods for dental health, it’s essential to understand why nutrition matters for oral health. Both our gums and teeth require various nutrients to stay strong and resilient. Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D maintain tooth structure and strength.
Antioxidants like vitamins C and E aid in protecting gum tissue from damage and promote healing. Specific foods can also stimulate saliva production, essential for washing away food particles and neutralizing acids that can potentially erode tooth enamel. In a way, saliva is the body’s defense mechanism against dental problems. To avoid dental decay, saliva production needs to be encouraged.
Optimal Foods for Dental Health
Viewing, comparing, and understanding the nutrient profile of a food is essential when you want to ensure that you’re including good foods for dental health. Some optimal foods for dental health include:
Dairy Products
Incorporating food products rich in calcium and phosphorus, like milk, cheese, and yogurt, is vital. These essential nutrients are required for remineralizing tooth enamel and maintaining strong bones. Cheese can stimulate saliva production, helping wash away food particles and reducing the risk of cavities.
Crunchy Vegetables and Fruits
Nature has toothbrushes, too; choosing apples, carrots, or celery is entirely up to you! These vegetables remove plaque and massage gums while you chew on them. They can also stimulate saliva production. Rich fiber from these sources enhances digestion and overall well-being.
Lean Proteins
Your body needs protein. It’s not just about muscle; protein also aids in repairing and maintaining cellular health. Poultry, eggs, and fish are some lean proteins you can consider adding. They also provide phosphorus, which works alongside calcium to keep teeth strong and healthy.
Leafy Greens
Are you interested in adding the best foods for your teeth and gums? Then you definitely can’t forget about the leafy greens. Whether you choose spinach, kale, or Swiss chard, all of them are packed with calcium and vitamin C. They support gum health and prevent inflammation, which can also lead to infection.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are nature’s gift, containing abundant calcium, magnesium, and vitamin E. And they’re suitable for your saliva production, too! Chewing nuts stimulate production and help remove plaque buildup. But it’s important to remember not to overeat them, as they can also cause damage to previously done dental work.
Water and Green Tea
Let’s leave the best foods for your teeth and gums aside for a minute. What about what you’re drinking? Most would know that carbonated drinks cause harm, but what about the others? While water is necessary for overall hydration, it also plays a star role in saliva production. It’s essential for rinsing away food particles and acids that could harm tooth enamel. Consider drinking fluoridated water to prevent cavities as well.
All green teas contain compounds called catechins. These inhibit the growth of bacteria associated with tooth decay, gum disease, and much more. And think about leaving the sugar out when you choose green tea since sugar can damage your teeth.
Probiotics
When looking for the optimal foods for dental health, yogurt and kefir should be on top of the list. These contain beneficial bacteria that maintain a healthy balance of microbes in the mouth. This can reduce the risk of oral infections and promote overall oral health.
Food for Dental Health: What to Avoid?
So now that you know what foods for dental health you should have in your diet, it’s time to discuss the other side. What should you not eat? With so many choices available, trying to avoid every delicacy out there is definitely a challenge. And when the time comes, you need to know what food can cause gum disease and what can’t. Some foods are more damaging compared to others, and here’s what you should avoid:
- Sticky and chewy foods: Products such as caramel, gummy candies, and toffee are prone to sticking for extended periods. This stickiness can increase the exposure of tooth enamel to sugar and acids. These little indulgences can become problematic since they get stuck between the teeth and crevices. It can promote bacterial growth and decay.
- Acidic foods and drinks: Whether you use vinegar dressing in your salad or the pickles in your burger, they’re not the best for your teeth. Frequently consuming acidic foods can end up leading to a host of issues. It includes increased sensitivity, discoloration, and increased chances of tooth decay. The best way to do it is rinsing your mouth afterward to minimize after-effects.
- Hard candies and ice: While they may seem harmless, they are not ideal for dental health. Hard candies can chip or fracture teeth, while ice can cause microscopic cracks in enamel, leading to sensitivity and eventual tooth damage. One of the best foods for your gums and teeth are sugar-free alternatives (such as gum) since they minimize the risk and taste relatively the same.
Understanding the Relationship Between Food and Dental Health
With so many cuisines and food options available, it’s hard not to indulge yourself and see what’s available. But indulgences can start impacting your dental and overall health when indulgences turn into habits. When deciding what foods you should consume daily, it’s crucial to understand how they can affect your health.
Once you know the optimal foods for dental health, it’s ideal to start incorporating at least a few in your daily diet. But apart from your diet, monitoring your dental health regularly is equally crucial. Dental examinations and cleanings can help you understand more about your oral health and to see if your nutritional choices are helping. At Definitive Dental, our staff ensures your comfort every step of the way. We’re here to take your smile to new heights, so schedule an appointment today to elevate your oral health.
