Everyone knows “you are what you eat”, but does this saying stand true for your oral health too? Research has shown that by eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet, you can greatly reduce your risk of many dental diseases. Your mouth requires certain minerals to keep your teeth strong and healthy, and to repair damage caused by acid-producing bacteria. Some foods that you eat can also be incredibly detrimental to your oral health, which is why your dentist suggests avoiding them completely.

Good Foods

A mouth-healthy diet should consist of plenty of calcium and phosphorus, which help strengthen your teeth; as well as protein and crunchy vegetables that will help stimulate saliva production and inhibit bacteria growth.

• Fiber-rich fruits and veggies contain a vast number of antioxidants, and immune boosting nutrients that will help your body fight off disease and remain resilient.
• Dairy may be one of the most important food groups when it comes to having strong teeth. The minerals in milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products will help your teeth to remineralize after acid attacks.
• Fluoride is also extremely important in the remineralization process, and can be found in your drinking water and toothpaste.
• When you can’t brush after a meal, sugar-free gum with xylitol is the next best thing. Xylitol has been shown to significantly reduce tooth decay, because the bacteria in your mouth cannot metabolize it like regular sugar.

Foods to Avoid

Too much candy is bad for anyone’s health, but do you know why your dentist advises against eating sticky, chewy, candy? Any type of sugary food product that takes a while to chew is probably bad for your teeth. The longer sugar remains in your mouth and on your teeth, the greater chance for bacteria to begin metabolizing it into acid that will erode your enamel. Also, any type of food that is too hard to bite easily should be avoided, because it can cause damage to your teeth like chips and cracks.

ABOUT YOUR CONROE DENTIST:

The Dental Centre of Conroe, John M Richards DDS delivers distinctive cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentistry for residents of Conroe, Houston, The Woodlands, Willis, Huntsville, and the neighboring communities. For more information about our services, or to schedule an appointment, contact us by calling (936) 441-4600.