If you’ve ever gone on a diet, you’ll have educated yourself on nutrition and what foods are best to put in your body for optimum health. But, have you ever researched what foods are best specifically for your oral health?
The most important factor for healthy teeth and gums is reducing the amount of sugar that remains in the mouth. So, obviously, foods high in sugar such as sodas, cookies, snack cakes, and candy are on the list of foods detrimental to your teeth. Not surprisingly, they wouldn’t be allowed by your nutritionist either. Another issue for oral health is how long food particles stick to your teeth. Dangerous plaque forms from leftover food particles and hides in the nooks and crannies of teeth if not knocked out with frequent brushing and flossing. Lastly, acidic foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes take their toll on tooth enamel, wearing away your tooth’s protective covering until, exposed to bacteria, decay takes hold.
Foods that make your teeth strong and build up enamel are high in protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Sorry vegetarians! This means any foods that come from animals are good: Milk, cheese, eggs, yogurt, meat, poultry, and fish. There are plenty of helpful vitamins and minerals available from eating whole fruits and vegetables as well. Although make sure they are not processed or in concentrated form, such as fruit juices. Without their natural fiber content and water to balance out the sugar, there is just too much of it.
The Winner of “Dentist-Approved, Most Essential Food Item” is … Water! It has zero calories and sugar, washes food particles away from your teeth, and you can even get it with fluoride. Drink as much as you like!
If you’d like more information about oral health, call Drs. Calpas, Hendrix, and Amundson and our team at Monticello Dental Center. Make an appointment at: 763-263-7100, or come by our office in Big Lake, Minnesota.