Dietary Tips for Healthy Strong Teeth
The food you eat plays a significant role in taking care of your teeth. While eating healthy food can be beneficial, there are other types of food that can cause damage to the teeth. Listed below are dietary tips that can help you maintain healthy strong teeth.
Eat Tooth-Healthy Foods
A healthy diet protects your teeth. It’s recommended that you eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains for a balanced diet. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, as they increase the risk of tooth decay.
- Choose whole grains over refined grains.
- Eat foods that are high in calcium, like low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt.
- Eat fruits and vegetables for vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- Avoid sticky, chewy, and hard foods, like candy, caramel, and raw carrots.
Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks
What you eat can affect the health of your teeth and your risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Sugary foods and drinks such as candy, cookies, cake, soda and juice are high on the list of foods that contribute to tooth decay. When bacteria in your mouth combine with sugar, acid is produced. This acid attacks your teeth, causing tooth decay and cavities.
Acidic Foods
There are many foods and drinks that can damage your teeth. The acids in these foods are what cause dental erosion. Common foods and drinks that erode teeth include the following:
- Fruit juice
- Citrus fruits
- Vinegar
- Tomatoes
- Pickles
Limit Between-Meal Snacking
Consuming food in between meals can increase your risk of cavities and gum disease, as food particles left on or between teeth are more likely to get trapped and contribute to decay. It’s best to limit snacking to mealtimes only and drink water to rinse away food particles.
Conclusion
Keeping a watch on your dietary habits can be essential for good oral health. At the same time, be sure to speak with a dental professional about any concerns you have about your teeth. They can help identify and avoid habits that might be harmful to your dental health.