Everyone knows that a well-balanced diet does the body good but how does it impact your teeth? It may not come as a surprise that there are certain foods that promote oral health and other foods that aren’t so beneficial for your mouth. So, how can you tell the difference? Well, we are going to take the time to discuss which foods are teeth-friendly and which ones you should probably stay away from or eat in moderation.
The Good Guys
Fibrous Fruits and Vegetables
You are certainly going to have some pushback from your kids for this one but fiber-rich fruits and veggies assist with keeping the teeth and gums clean. They get the saliva flowing when eaten which helps with reducing the negative impact of acids and enzymes that attack your teeth.
Dairy Products
Your options are vast for this category and include, but are not limited to, greek yogurt, cheese, and milk. These yummy snacks contain calcium and phosphate which are necessary minerals that assist in strengthening tooth enamel.
Black and Green Teas
Aside from teas being an amazing natural alternative to coffee and hot chocolate they also have polyphenols. Polyphenols kill and prevent bacteria build-up which means a cleaner safer mouth for you.
Sugarless Chewing Gum
You may not think that a dentist would ever recommend chewing gum but there are some amazing benefits to chewing sugarless gum. The biggest one is, yet again, saliva! Saliva assists with removing food particles from the mouth. Also, it is a sweet treat when you are craving candy.
Foods with Fluoride
Commercially produced seafood, poultry, and powdered cereals are a few options that contain fluoride. We recommend researching what options are available to you based on your dietary preferences. The most important thing is implementing fluoride into your diet so that it may create a layer of protection for your teeth.
The Bad Guys
Sticky Candies and Hard Candies
The amount of time you allow sugar to remain in your mouth increases the potential damage that can take place. Sugar interacts with the bacteria found in plaque and creates acid that eats away at tooth enamel.
Starchy Food
We are sorry to say that potato chips and soft bread are in this category due to how easily they can get stuck in your teeth. As long as you are eating these items in moderation, flossing, and brushing your teeth regularly you can minimize the negative effects of eating starchy food.
Carbonated Soft Drinks
Aside from the amount of sugar that is found in soda carbonation is not good for your tooth enamel. Carbonation is created with carbon dioxide which, unfortunately, turns acidic in the mouth.
Alcohol
We are circling back to the importance of saliva. Alcohol or any substance that dries the mouth out is recommended to be consumed in moderation.
Join the Flatiron Family
Are you ready to start your journey of prioritizing your oral health? We are here to help you, we provide quality care to the Superior, Louisville, Broomfield, Interlocken, and Calmante regions. Schedule an appointment for the entire family today or contact us to learn about our exclusive new patient and cosmetic dentistry offers.