All of us know that we should be brushing and flossing our teeth at least twice per day. However, it’s important for us to understand the types of foods that we are eating and how they are either benefiting or harming the health of our mouths. In this blog post we are going to be discussing some of the best and worst foods that you can eat in regards to your oral health. Keep reading to learn more!
Starting off, we want to let all of our patients know that we are open! As of June 1st, we were able to open our doors and start offering our usual services, not just emergency dental work. For more information about scheduling appointments and what our new policies are please connect with us directly. We are more than happy to go over everything to want you to know that the health of our employees, staff, and patients is the most important to us.
Good Foods For Your Teeth
Cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products
As if we needed another reason to consume more cheese or want to consume more cheese, cheese helps our mouths produce saliva. When you produce more saliva it helps your body protect against cavities and tooth decay. It also helps to wash away the food source, which can eliminate the food that may be stuck on your teeth and tongue. There is also a ton of calcium in cheese, which helps put back minerals that you may have lost. Calcium helps with bone growth, which helps our teeth since our teeth are bones. Cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products also help rebuild tooth enamel which strengthens the surface.
Leafy Greens
We all heard our mothers telling us to “eat our vegetables”, but just as always, we should listen to their advice. Leafy greens like spinach, kale, broccoli, and so many others are filled with fiber and also help produce saliva. Some of these greens even form a coating on our teeth when they are chewed which can protect against foods that may stain or stick to our teeth. It helps to restore minerals to the areas of your teeth that may have lost them from bacteria, acids, or sugars. So the next time you hear your mom telling you to eat your greens, listen not only is it great for your body but also your teeth!
Tea
Black and green teas both contain polyphenols which interact with plaque bacteria. These substances either kill or prevent the spread of bacteria. Bacteria in the mouth can cause a lot of issues including tooth decay, gingivitis, tongue diseases, bad breath, and so much more. So, preventing the growing or spreading of bacteria can really help improve the health of your mouth. It’s also a great source of water and can help swish out any stubborn food particles or leftovers. While green tea tends to not stain, black tea may be able to stain your teeth. Drinking with a straw can help prevent the staining while still allowing you to enjoy a nice cup of tea.
Sugarless Gum and Mints
Chewing sugarless gum or mints are another great way to help produce saliva that can help remove plaque and other food particles in your mouth. It’s also a great way to help curb snacking cravings that might lead you to reach for a sugary snack. It can also help freshen your breath.
Bad Foods For Your Teeth
Chewy Sugar Filled Candies
While it may taste good, sugary chewy candies are some of the worst foods that we can consume. Having a sweet tooth isn’t always a bad thing but you want to be mindful about what you’re consuming to satisfy that craving. Chewy candies can often get stuck in between your teeth and pull on the enamel. If you’re someone who has crowns or other dental treatments, they can even damage or remove the crown entirely which can cause an emergency dental visit and some potential discomfort. When these candies get stuck in between your teeth, they can sit there and start to rot away parts of your tooth. Sugar can also reduce the effects of the acids and enzymes that your saliva produces.
Starchy Foods
Starchy foods like potato chips, breads, pastas, and other carbohydrates aren’t necessarily bad for your teeth unless you’re not brushing and flossing properly. If you’re brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day and removing any leftover food particles from your mouth, you have nothing to worry about. However, if you are not removing these properly, these starchy soft foods can get trapped in between your teeth. When starches are broken down, they then are converted to sugars. So, if you’re not taking care of your teeth, you’re essentially just letting sugar sit in your mouth, which can be harmful. There’s nothing wrong with eating a bowl of your favorite pasta dish but make sure that once you’re finished eating you’re taking the proper steps of brushing and flossing to get rid of any leftover food particles.
Alcohol/Dehydrating Liquids
Alcohol and some various forms of medication can dry out your mouth. When your mouth is dry it leaves it susceptible to bacteria growth. If you’re noticing dry mouth after a night of drinking or a specific medication, make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water. You may also want to speak with your dentist about getting some type of fluoride gel or rinse for brushing your teeth. This can help not only improve your health but it can also improve your comfort levels.
At Luxe Dental Spa we want to help give you the best smile possible. Whether you’re looking for routine cleaning and preventative services or needing something more cosmetic, we’re here for you! We’re so excited to announce that we are once again open for normal routine procedures and can’t wait to see you. As we mentioned earlier, please connect with us directly before coming into our office as we do have certain procedures in order to keep everyone safe and healthy.