What foods are good for my teeth?

You probably heard about many foods and beverages that are BAD for your teeth, but what about foods that are actually GOOD for your teeth?

Yes, sugar and sticky candy are surely bad for your teeth (and are poor choices if you’re prediabetic).

So let’s get back on track to the topic at hand, though…

Top foods, snacks & drinks that are actually good for your teeth

• Fruits and vegetables. This one is a no-brainer. A diet full of healthy fruits and vegetables is good for your oral health and overall health, too. The body (and your teeth) needs the minerals and vitamins that fruits and vegetables naturally provide.

  Furthermore, eating crunchy vegetables stimulates saliva production, thereby washing away food particles and acids that can lead to cavities or other oral health problems.

  Fruits high in vitamin C and calcium (think dark, leafy greens) are great for reducing inflammation and battling gum disease.

• Water. Water is great for your entire body, including muscles and teeth. Fluoridated water helps to maintain your oral health. Water washes away acids that usually contribute to cavities or other dental issues. Drinking water between meals is also very important if you cannot brush your teeth soon after meals and snacking. That’s because water washes away food particles and bacteria for a healthy mouth.

• Protein and low-sugar/sugar-free dairy products. Meat, poultry, eggs, milk and fish are excellent sources of protein. Dairy products high in calcium, like cheese, yogurt, and cottage cheese are good for your oral health. Make healthy meal choices for healthy teeth and gums!

• Low-sugar/no-sugar added snacks. In between meals you want to be snacking on healthy snacks low in sugar or no sugar added at all. This especially holds true if you cannot brush your teeth soon after snacking. You don’t want to be eating handfuls of sugary swedish fish candy at 10:00am if you’re not going to brush your teeth until 10:00pm before bedtime.

Sugar leads to tooth decay. Plain and simple. Stay away from sugar as much as possible. Stick to fruits, nuts, vegetables, healthy trail mix, cheese, or low-sugar yogurt as your snacking options.

How else can you take care of your teeth?

The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests you do the following for healthy teeth and gums:

• Brush your teeth 2-3 times a day.

• Floss your teeth on a daily basis.

• Eat lots of vegetables and limit sugary beverages and snacks.

• Drink water instead of soda and sugary juices.

• See your dentist on a consistent basis for prevention and treatment of oral problems (at least once every six months, which is equivalent to two times per year).

Haven’t been to the dentist in a while? Call Dr. Brett Silverman in Alpharetta, GA.

Whether you need a new dentist because you just moved to Alpharetta or you need a second opinion on some dental work, Dr. Silverman and his wonderful team are here for you.

We treat our patients like family. Schedule an appointment with Advanced Cosmetic and Family Dentistry today.

Sources:

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/diet-and-dental-health

https://www.123dentist.com/nutrition-and-your-oral-health/