It’s no secret that what you eat has an enormous impact on the health and well-being of your body. A good diet ensures you get all the vitamins and minerals you need, keeps off excess weight, and helps stave off disease.

But what you eat also affects the state of your oral health. Sure, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene at home and visit the dentist twice a year for cleanings and exams. But a few tweaks to your diet can also make a difference in the health of your teeth and gums.

If you live in the Highland area, call Highland Advanced Dental Care to get your next visit on the books. In addition to routine checkups, we offer restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry and are happy to discuss with you the important diet and oral health connection. Contact us today to make an appointment.

3 Foods That Boost Oral Health

First for the good news: there are lots of things you can eat that, along with good oral care, will help keep your teeth and gums in great shape. Here are three of the best.

  • Dairy products. Dairy products are an excellent source of calcium, a mineral that helps keep all of your bones, including the jawbone, strong. It also is critical to hardening your tooth enamel, which enables it to resist decay-causing bacteria. Cheese specifically has been shown to raise the pH levels in the mouth — making it a less acidic environment — and it contains proteins called caseins, which can create a protective coating over the teeth.
  • Leafy Greens. Leafy green vegetables like kale and collard greens are health superstars, and they even offer benefits specific to the mouth. They are excellent sources of calcium, so it’s especially important that vegans and other people who can’t eat dairy products load up on these vegetables. They also contain folic acid, which promotes gum health.
  • Crunchy fruits and vegetables. Munching on raw fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, and celery are a great way to help keep your mouth clean between brushings. Their fibrous texture stimulates the gums and chewing these foods increases the production of cleansing saliva.

3 Foods That Harm Oral Health

Now for the bad news. When it comes to damaging your teeth and gums, here are a few of the worst culprits.

  • Chewy sweets. Foods that have a chewy texture tend to get stuck in the grooves of the teeth. Combine that with sugar, and you have a recipe for cavities. So avoid chewy and gummy treats, including dried fruits.
  • Sweet drinks. Soda, fruit, and sports drinks coat your mouth in sugar, creating a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Diet soda contains destructive acids. Drink cleansing water instead.
  • Starchy snacks. Foods like potato chips and pretzels are deliciously addictive, but they are pure carbs, which promote the production of bacteria. Try munching on carrot sticks or sliced cucumbers instead.

If you live in the Highland area and are due for a checkup, call Highland Advanced Dental Care today at 248-329-3552 to schedule an appointment. Or fill out our online form and we will get back to you promptly.