Don’t Eat That: A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Mouth

Some foods will help you grow healthy teeth and keep them forever. Some foods will prevent you from growing healthy teeth, or harm the ones you already have. You can grow and maintain strong, healthy teeth by eating a diet your mouth (and your body) will truly love. Your Carolina Complete dentists at Carolina Complete Dental share some information below about how diet affects oral health.

Diet is Everything

The word “diet” has earned a bad reputation over the years as a verb that means eating less to lose weight, but diet is also a noun and a powerful way you can give yourself the best life possible. Your diet is simply the food you eat, and most of us are trying our best to eat wholesome food with just a few sweet treats here and there.

Good food sets the stage for a healthy life. Nutrition is vital for growing healthy muscles and bones. And guess what—your teeth are bones, too! Good nutrition helps your body fight infections that cause decay and disease in your mouth and the rest of your body. Not only will a healthy diet help you have more energy, a better attention span, and the strength to enjoy your life, but it also promotes good oral health, too. Dairy, meat, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables can all support healthy teeth and gums. But do you know what foods to avoid for a healthy mouth? Your Carolina Complete dentists Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams have some tips!

Foods that Promote Decay

Some of the foods and beverages that cause the most tooth decay:

• Sugary sodas and juice
• Sugary cocktails and coffees
• Sugary sweets like candy and baked goods
• Processed food lacking important nutrients (protein, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamins A, B, C, and D)

Foods that Damage Tooth Enamel

The hard, white surface of your teeth is your enamel. Enamel protects the nerves at the core of your tooth and helps your teeth stay strong and healthy. Some foods really hurt the surfaces of your teeth by causing dangerous buildup, or by putting too much force on the enamel and damaging it. Some foods that can damage your enamel include:

• Popcorn kernels
• Ice
• Coffee and tea with added sugar
• Citrus (lemon juice)
• Alcohol (which causes dry mouth)
• Sugary juice, soda, sports drinks, and cocktails
• Sticky, chewy or hard candy
• Dried fruit

It’s probably not surprising that sugar makes the “bad list” in both categories. You don’t have to avoid sugar completely, but it’s probably best to pick your favorite treat and just stick with that in moderation.

Love Your Mouth

If you eat a healthy diet and practice good oral hygiene, your teeth will love and serve you forever. By brushing and flossing every day and visiting the dentist for a checkup and cleaning twice a year, you can best avoid tooth decay and damage. Make an appointment with your Carolina Complete dentists at Carolina Complete Dental to give your smile a fighting chance.

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Sources

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/diet-and-dental-health

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/nutrition-teeth-dental-health