Foods that Are Good for Your Teeth

In the last blog, your dentist discussed foods that were bad for your teeth. In this blog, your Corona Dentist wants to talk about the foods that are actually good for your teeth and gums.

How often you eat and what you eat is almost as important as what you put in your mouth. In fact, according to Web MD, the changes in your mouth occur the minute you start eating. The bacteria in your mouth convert carbohydrates and sugars into acid that will attack the protective coating of enamel on your teeth.  If you snack often, you are exposing your teeth to a cycle of tooth decay. The only way to prevent this from happening is to eat healthier food and rinse after you eat.

Your dentist will tell you that some of the best food choices for your teeth and gums include milk, cheese, fish, and meat. These types of foods will protect the enamel on your teeth as they are filled with phosphorus and calcium that is needed in order to remineralize your teeth.

Milk, cheese, and sugar-free yogurt are good choices when it comes to your diet. The calcium in the dairy actually strengthens teeth. In fact, in a recent study, those who enjoyed cheese saw a healthy drop in their mouth pH levels. The lower the pH the better chance your teeth have of fighting tooth decay. Although cheese might stick to your teeth, it is protecting the enamel at the same time.

Meat is loaded with iron, which is important for strong bones and teeth. Beef, chicken, pork, and fish, especially the organ meat, contains important vitamins such as A and D. These vitamins can help your immune system and actually increase mineralization in your bones and teeth.

Include lots of crunchy fruits and vegetables in your diet. Pears, apples, and carrots contain lots of water helping to dilute the natural sugars also contained in the fruits and vegetables. Celery is wonderful as it actually acts as a dental floss of sorts cleaning in-between your teeth as you chew. Fruits and vegetables also help to stimulate saliva flow, which protects your teeth against tooth decay. Citrus fruits such as tomatoes, grapefruits, oranges lemons and limes should be enjoyed with a meal in order to minimize the acids.

According to your dentist, the best beverage choices include lots of water, unsweetened tea, and milk. Try to avoid drinks that contain sugar and if you must have something fizzy, go with sugar substitutes as the do not feed the dangerous bacteria lurking in your mouth.

Try to enjoy as many good teeth foods as possible and remember, if you must indulge in foods that can harm, try your best to keep it to a minimum, and don’t forget to rinse after eating.

For more information on healthy food choices for your teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Five Foods That Are Bad for Your Teeth

That fat free muffin that you had for breakfast may be better for your waistline, but it could be disastrous for your teeth and gums. Starchy foods become trapped between your teeth. Once your saliva starts breaking down the sugar plaque begins to form. If your lunch consisted of soup, salad and lots of bread, make sure that you eat the salad after you enjoy that delicious breadbasket, as the crunchy vegetables will help clear the starch. A good Dentist will advise you to rinse after eating and keep floss, a toothbrush and toothpaste handy. Of course, starchy foods aren’t the only things that are unhealthy for your teeth and gums.

According to the Huffington Post, Starbursts, gummy bears, and other sticky candies are delicious treats, but that satisfaction that you are enjoying now could turn into a not so pleasant time in the dentist’s chair thanks to tooth decay. Sticky candy sticks to the back and sides of your teeth and can be difficult to remove. Those caramels that your Aunt Martha gave you for your birthday sure taste good, but your toothbrush will have a tough time removing the sticky goo. If you must indulge brush your teeth immediately with warm water as the heat can help, “Melt,” some of the leftover sticky candy.

Everyone knows that red wine, coffee, and tea will stain your teeth. No matter how much you spend on tooth whitening products, if you indulge too much, your teeth will pay the price. Tooth Whitening is the number one cosmetic dentistry procedure on the planet, but that glass of merlot that you enjoy every night isn’t the only thing that is turning your teeth a nasty color. That big bowl of bolognaise that you tucked into last night could take its toll on your toothy grin. Your teeth will like curry almost as much as you do. Your favorite curry and rice bowl will be present long after you have enjoyed. Curry is yellow; your teeth will be too. Beets, soy sauce, and soda can also stain your teeth. Beets are excellent anti-oxidants, but they will stain your teeth.

Dried fruits are certainly much better for you than that processed fruit bar you grabbed at the gas station, but because they are sticky, and still have a high sugar content, dried figs, apricots, mangos, or any other dried fruit will stick to your teeth. Once that starts to happen, the bacteria will thrive feeding off the sugar. It’s okay to enjoy, but brush after.

Those sports and energy drinks may do their job when it comes to giving you a boost after a good workout, but your teeth are paying the price. If it takes an hour for you to sip a can of soda, your teeth are exposed to a layer of acid until you take your last sip, and beyond, unless you rinse with water. Have your sodas, energy drinks, and sports drinks but drink it down all at once or have it with your meal. Better yet, drink water with fresh squeezed lemon or lime or add Grapefruit for a refreshing twist.

If you brush twice and floss once a day, see your dentist regularly and watch your diet. Your teeth and gums will thank you for it, and so will your smile.