Thanks to advances in dental techniques and equipment, we can restore even the most damaged smile to one that looks and feels healthy and beautiful. That’s a wonderful thing for people who need restorative procedures. But it’s always best to keep your natural teeth through preventive dentistry — saving you discomfort, money, and time that you’d surely like to spend anywhere except in the dentist’s chair!
Preventive dentistry is simply what you can do to keep your natural teeth healthy and strong. It includes good oral hygiene practices at home and visiting the dentist regularly. It also includes avoiding those foods that will damage your teeth and gums and loading up on those that are beneficial to your oral health. In this blog we’re sharing some foods for good oral health.
At your next checkup at 1st in Smiles, we’d love to further discuss the importance of diet to a healthy mouth. Call our Plano, TX office at 972-905-9266 for an appointment.
Dairy Helps Strengthen Teeth
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are loaded with calcium, a mineral that’s essential for strong bones and teeth. Calcium works with phosphorus and vitamin D to remineralize the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to bacteria and tooth decay. This restorative power makes dairy one of the best foods for good oral health.
Cheese contains proteins called caseins that bond together and create a sort of protective coating over the teeth. Just avoid dairy products — like certain yogurts — that contain sugar, as this can cancel out any benefit to your smile.
Need Another Reason to Eat Your Greens? How About Good Oral Health
Dark green leafy vegetables like kale, swiss chard, and collard greens are packed with goodness for your entire body. They are also an excellent source of calcium, especially for vegans and other people who can’t consume dairy products. Leafy greens are also a good way to get folic acid, which has been shown to reduce gum inflammation and bleeding.
Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables Promote Clean Teeth
Raw vegetables and fruits such as apples, celery, and carrots actually help clean your mouth as you eat them — even if they do contain some sugar. That’s because they contain lots of water and fiber, stimulate the flow of cleansing saliva as you chew them, and their texture stimulates the gums. So while they aren’t a replacement for your toothbrush, they are a good way to rid your mouth of food particles and harmful bacteria between cleanings.
Pack in the Lean Proteins for Good Oral Health
Lean proteins — fish, poultry, meat, and eggs — are an important part of a well-rounded diet and good oral health. They are low in the carbohydrates that cause harmful bacteria to flourish and are a rich source of phosphorus, which works with calcium to strengthen tooth enamel.
Go for the Sugar-Free Gum
Sugar-free gum helps maintain good oral health by keeping your mouth clean during the day when you don’t have a toothbrush handy. Chewing it promotes the flow of saliva, which rinses away stuck food and nasty bacteria. Just make sure your gum is sugar-free. The sugar in other gums will do more damage than good!
Diet is just one aspect of a preventive dentistry routine for good oral health. It’s also important to visit our office every six months. Schedule an appointment at 1st in Smiles by calling 972-905-9266.
