Let’s be honest with ourselves. When it comes to maintaining a healthy smile, brushing and flossing are essential. However, what you eat plays a significant role in your oral health as well. At Shorewood Family Dental Care, we believe that nutrition for healthy teeth is just as imperative as a strong oral hygiene routine. When combined, they both help to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues. It is important to make smart dietary choices because nutrition can impact your dental health. Wise oral health choices can help you protect your teeth, strengthen your gums, and maintain a bright, healthy smile for years to come!
How Nutrition Impacts Your Teeth and Gums
The truth is that the foods you eat and the beverages you drink affect your oral health in a variety of ways. However, certain foods and beverages can actually strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent bacterial buildup!
Here’s how your diet can support your dental health — truly the foundation of nutrition for healthy teeth.
Calcium & Phosphorus for Strong Teeth:
Foods rich in calcium like (dairy products, leafy greens, and almonds) help to rebuild enamel and strengthen teeth. Furthermore, phosphorus (found in eggs, fish, and nuts) helps with these same factors too!
Vitamin C for Gum Health:
Citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers are high in Vitamin C! We all know that Vitamin C is healthy for the body. And believe it or not, it is essential for healthy gums and preventing gum disease.
Crunchy Fruits & Vegetables for Natural Cleaning:
Apples, carrots, and celery act as natural toothbrushes helping to clean your teeth. But that is not all! These foods also stimulate saliva production in order to wash away food particles and bacteria.
Water for Oral Hydration:
Staying hydrated with water (especially fluoridated water) washes away harmful bacteria and acids that can erode enamel and cause cavities.
Foods That Can Harm Your Dental Health
While some foods promote strong teeth, others can increase the risk of decay, enamel erosion, and cause gum disease:
Sugary Snacks & Drinks:
Sweets, sodas, and sports drinks fuel bacteria in the mouth, leading to plaque buildup and cavities. No fun!
Acidic Foods & Beverages:
Citrus fruits, tomatoes, and wine can weaken enamel over time. This can cause teeth to become more prone to sensitivity and decay.
Sticky & Starchy Foods:
Candies, dried fruits, chips, and white bread tend to stick to teeth as well. Unfortunately, this creates an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. We want to prevent this from happening!
Excessive Coffee & Tea:
While some teas contain beneficial antioxidants, excessive consumption of coffee and tea can stain teeth and lead to enamel erosion; especially if consumed with added sugar!
The Role of Preventive Dental Care
Eating a nutrient-rich diet is one of the best ways to support your oral health, but regular dental checkups are just as important! Professional cleanings help remove plaque buildup; something we all need to strive for. Remember, the best diet and daily oral care routine can’t eliminate plaque buildup entirely. So, we encourage you to book your dental appointments every six months!
Keep Your Smile Healthy with Regular Dental Checkups
As we’ve discussed, nutrition impacts dental health greatly! At Shorewood Family Dental Care, we encourage patients to maintain their oral health with bi-annual dental exams and cleanings. Routine visits allow us to detect early signs of decay, gum disease, and other dental concerns before they become major problems.
Schedule your next dental checkup today and learn more about optimizing nutrition for healthy teeth to keep your smile strong. Contact Shorewood Family Dental Care to book an appointment and keep your teeth healthy and bright for the future. We truly can’t wait to hear from you!
