Food Do’s and Don’ts to Keep You Smiling

Perhaps you´ve been led to believe that brushing twice a day and seeing your dentist twice a year´s enough to preserve your oral health.

The truth is, having good oral health goes way beyond this. As it´s the entry point for your body´s nutrients, your mouth´s health is critical to your overall wellbeing.

Nevertheless, there are some food do´s and don´ts you must be aware of and will set you up to keep your natural teeth healthy for many years.

Your teeth are necessary for chewing, which, in turn, guarantees proper food digestion. To ensure its proper function, preserve your teeth´ health by closely watching whatever foods you eat.

Likewise, the foods you consume will not only affect your body´s health. But also your mouth, teeth, and gum tissue condition as well.

Knowing that everything you put in your mouth might influence your oral (and general) health. Here is some food do´s and don´ts to keep you smiling. Let´s begin!

Food and Oral Health, What to Eat and What to Avoid?

Do´s

  • Dairy products are the primordial source of calcium, an essential element for strengthening both your bones and teeth.
  • Likewise, cow milk is a source not just of calcium but also some teeth-beneficial minerals such as phosphorous and casein.
  • Aside from providing lots of minerals and vitamins to keep your gums and teeth healthy, chewing on fresh vegetables and fruits also favours saliva production.
  • Leafy green vegetables provide your body with much-needed vegetable protein, iron, and fibre. Chewing on leafy green vegetables also stimulates the production of saliva.
  • Drinking enough water throughout the day will not just keep your body hydrated. It´s essential for saliva production and getting rid of food debris.

Don´ts

  • Empty (or low) calorie foods like candies, muffins, cookies, cakes, and starchy snacks have high sugar levels. Empty-calorie foods also bring no nutritional value.

Additionally, snacks such as potato chips can be prejudicial for your gum tissue and tooth enamel.

  • Citrus fruits, tomatoes, and other highly-acidic foods might ring multiple benefits to your general health, but they can also weaken tooth enamel.

To avoid this, consume them sparingly and rinse your mouth with water immediately after to wash away the remaining acidic particles.

  • Bread is high in carbohydrates, so it´s subsequently broken down into sugar. This means that excessively consuming bread (and having bad oral hygiene) can turn into tooth decay.
  • Coffee and tea will not just stain your teeth. Adding sugar and/or cream increases the amount of plaque-causing bacteria in your mouth.
  • Ice is only meant to chill your drinks, not to be chewed on! Chewing on ice might damage your mouth, teeth, and gum tissue.

Having a healthy, balanced diet is an integral part of achieving (and maintaining) good dental and overall health.

Balanced eating implies combining multiple foods from each major food group and consuming enough water (preferably fluoridated) during and after every meal.

But it´s not just what foods you eat and avoid that´s important. When (and how) you consume them also plays a part in preserving your oral health.

Try eating raw foods at the end. This helps massage your gums and produce more saliva, thus cleaning your teeth by getting rid of food debris.

In the same vein, consuming acid-neutralizing foods (like milk, cheese, or green/black tea) right after dessert protects your teeth from tooth decay.

Maybe you´re reading this and feel worried you´ve been eating many foods from our “Don´ts” list. Well, why don´t you give us a call and schedule an appointment?

Our dental experts will gladly provide all the information you might need regarding oral health and nutrition.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this website is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Any reliance you place on the information provided in these blogs is, therefore, strictly at your own risk. We shall not be held responsible for any loss or damage resulting from the use of the information provided on this website.
Call Now Button