We all know that eating healthy is important for our physical and mental health, but did you know it also plays an important role in our oral health?
In this blog, we explore how your diet impacts your dental health. We also cover the food and drinks you should and shouldn’t keep on your shopping list.
How Your Diet Impacts Dental Health
A poor diet can substantially increase your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues. Excessive amounts of sugars and acids lead to enamel erosion, while a lack of hydrating food and drink inhibits the production of acid-neutralising saliva.
In short, unhealthy food weakens your teeth, which ultimately affects your ability to enjoy food in the long run.
The Best Diet for Healthy Teeth
Fruit and Veggies
Fresh fruit and vegetables are great for your oral health. They’re often rich in vitamins and minerals, and the act of chewing them helps remove debris from your teeth and promote salivary production.
For example, apples and pears have a fibrous texture that essentially scrubs the surface of your teeth and stimulates your gums as you chew. While that’s not to say you should swap the toothbrush for an apple, it is a good reason to eat them regularly. Apples and pears are also rich in water and fibre, which is great for your teeth and gums.
Similarly, crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery are great for your oral health. Eating raw carrots helps you eliminate plaque by stimulating your gums and promoting saliva production. They’re also high in Vitamin A, which is important for healthy gums and strong teeth. Meanwhile, celery is packed with water and fibre, and its stringy strands act like dental floss, breaking down food that’s become stuck between teeth.
On the less crunchy end of the spectrum, leafy green vegetables, like lettuce, kale and spinach, require lots of chewing, which helps keep your teeth clean. They’re also full of calcium and folic acid, which strengthen tooth enamel and improve gum health.
Dairy Products
Rich in calcium, dairy plays an important role in creating strong and healthy teeth. However, while a glass of milk does have its benefits, there are other dairy products that deliver bigger and better results.
Take cheese. Not only is it rich in calcium, but it can also reduce the risk of tooth decay. That’s because of its alkaline properties, which help neutralise the oral acids responsible for decay. The chewiness of cheese also encourages the production of saliva. By the same token, plain yogurt contains a lot of calcium, but it’s also packed with probiotics, which help to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.
Meats and Tofu
The dental benefits of meats, especially lean ones like chicken and fish, and tofu are twofold:
- Their chewiness promotes saliva production.
- They’re rich in protein and important nutrients for oral health.
Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines come with added benefits: they’re packed with vitamin D and phosphorus. Vitamin D makes it easier for your body to absorb calcium, helping you get the most out of all the calcium-rich food you consume. Meanwhile, phosphorus plays an important role in strengthening tooth enamel. It can also be found in tofu.
Things to Reduce in Your Dental Diet
While you don’t need to eliminate these items from your diet, reducing your consumption will help improve your oral health, as well as your overall wellbeing:
- Food and drinks with added sugars: The sugar feeds bacteria in the tooth plaque, releasing acids that can lead to cavities
- Acidic food and drinks: The acid erodes your tooth enamel and risks damaging the underlying dentine, leading to sensitivity and potentially tooth decay.
- Sticky or dried fruits: By sticking to your teeth, these products provide a long-lasting, slow-release supply of sugar that feeds the unhealthy bacteria in your mouth.
- Starchy foods: Though you might not think of starchy foods like bread and pasta as sugary, starches break down into sugars when mixed with saliva.
- Popcorn: When they get stuck in your gums, popcorn hulls can cause irritation or even abscesses, while unpopped kernels risk chipping your teeth.
Book Your Dental Checkup and Clean
If you’re thinking of changing your dental diet for good, it’s a great time to get a dental checkup and clean. We’ll use the session to scale and clean your teeth, identify any areas of concern, and give you personalised recommendations for your new diet.
Ready to book your appointment? At Phoenix Road Dental, we’re here to help. Talk to our expert team today.