Eating Your Way to Healthy Teeth: Foods that Boost Dental Wellness

Having good dental hygiene isn’t just about when you brush and floss your teeth. It’s also about what you consume. And although some foods may taste pretty good, they could be doing more damage than you know to your oral hygiene.

Your oral hygiene is made up of your gum health and, of course, your teeth. So, ensuring you know the balance of the right foods will help your dental wellness in the long run.

This article will examine some of the best nourishment you can put into your body. Not only will you be thinking about your body, but your teeth will thank you decades down the line.

We will highlight the benefits of taking care of your oral consumption and which foods we think are the best and worst options for your teeth and gums that your dentist won’t be too happy about.

How Does What I Eat Affect My Teeth?

Some foods that you consume will be great for your teeth. The ones that aid in maintaining healthy teeth and gums are ones you should think about adding to your diet if you don’t already.

These could include nutrients that have a high calcium percentage or some that are high in vitamin C, which we will dive into in this guide.

On the other hand, certain things you eat could be causing the risk of potential tooth decay and bacteria build-up if not removed properly.

Perhaps you love sweet and sticky foods like caramel. Although it may taste delicious, there is a potential for plaque to build up without proper brushing, flossing, and mouthwash.

Which Food Groups Are Best For My Teeth and Gums?

Some food groups are excellent for oral health, which include:

Dark Leafy Greens

Like Popeye’s obsession with spinach, he knew that spinach and even kale are high in vitamins needed to help your tooth enamel. They are also great for helping your saliva production.

These leafy vegetables have also been known to act as cleansers for the teeth. They have a high fiber content, so in some ways, people see them as natural toothbrushes. This can help you if you wish to avoid gum disease.

Dairy Kings and Queens

Another food group you should consider is dairy products. These range from yogurt to good old-fashioned cheese. These foods have a high calcium level and even phosphorus in them.

This not only helps to strengthen the bones in your body, but it can also help to keep your tooth enamel in good form. Similarly to your dark leafy greens, dairy products help stimulate more saliva in your mouth to wash away food debris that may be left after you’ve eaten.

Folic Acid

Ever heard of folic acid? It’s a vitamin that naturally occurs in many foods you probably have encountered in your diet. It has some fantastic properties, like reducing the risk of inflammation in the gums.

Fill Your Body With Water

Water is one of the best things you can drink that not only removes leftover food particles, it can improve your oral health.

For example, without drinking water, you could have a dry mouth, and the dryer your mouth, the less saliva you can produce to remove hidden dirt between your teeth.

Which Food and Drink Should I Avoid?

Let’s look at the not-so-good foods and drinks you should try to avoid to keep your teeth and gums happy. These include:

Sugar

Sugar is both a delicious treat and a guilty pleasure. But it’s also a habitat for harmful bacteria to harbor in our mouths.

Moreover, remember that a variety of foods, particularly the sweet ones left unchecked, can lead to bad oral health and, in the worst cases, tooth loss.

Acidity

Keep in mind citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are excellent additions to a healthy diet. But too much of it, and you could worry about oral diseases like eroding enamel or developing sensitivity in your teeth and gums.

So, if you’ve had some acidic foods, what do you do to ensure your mouth isn’t at risk? We recommend drinking water or rinsing your mouth with mouthwash after you’ve consumed it.

Why is Teeth Bone Density Important?

In addition to what you should be consuming, it’s also essential to know more about the bone density in your teeth and what factors can affect how well your teeth age.

Your diet, medical condition, and medications may all affect your teeth. Similarly, as we age, the density naturally decreases due to human nature.

You can also consider what choices we make in our lifestyles that also impact how strong our teeth are. If we choose to smoke tobacco or overdo it on alcohol over time, this could negatively impact our dental health.

Final Thoughts

Overall, what you put in your body impacts the strength and health of your pearly whites and gums. We recommend sticking to foods that not only decrease the risk of tooth decay but also help you produce saliva flow and get rid of food stuck between your teeth, improving dental health.

A balanced diet will ultimately keep your solid teeth and gums in a healthy mouth for years. If you want to know more about dental procedures or a check-up to see how well your teeth are doing, our website contains the services you need to improve your oral health.