18 May Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid for a Healthy Smile

A balanced diet that provides adequate nutrition is best for your oral health. Many nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin D, and calcium are essential to a healthy mouth and smile.

Foods To Eat 

Water

Water is the best choice to quench your thirst as it has no sugar or calories. Water will also help wash away acid-producing food and drink.

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens, like spinach and kale, have many health benefits and promoting oral health is one of them. They contain calcium, as well as folic acid, which can prevent gum disease. A great way to incorporate more greens into your diet is to throw a handful into your morning smoothie.

Cheese and milk

Attention all cheese lovers, you now have another reason to indulge. Cheese and milk encourage saliva production, which neutralizes acid in the mouth. In addition, the protein, calcium and phosphorus in cheese and milk also buffer acids, protecting enamel from erosion. Studies also show that cheese and milk strengthen the protective minerals in teeth’s surfaces.

Fish and flax

A big threat to your oral health is gum disease. Foods that protect against inflammation, will protect against gum disease. Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory nutrients, found in fish and flax.

Foods to Avoid

Sugary drinks

Sugary drinks, such as pop or sports drinks, are some of the biggest culprits in eroding tooth enamel and creating cavities. Carbonated drinks are especially bad as the carbonation increases acidity.

Candy and other sweets

Much like sugary drinks, the high sugar content erodes tooth enamel and can cause cavities. Sticky and gummy candies pose the biggest threat as they can stick to teeth, making it hard for saliva to wash them away.

Coffee, tea and red wine

Coffee, tea and red wine can raise acid levels which can lead to tooth decay. Another reason to be careful with tea and red wine is that they can stain teeth.

If you have any questions or want to discuss other healthy oral habits, please feel free to ask our team at your next visit!