It takes more than simply brushing, flossing, and routine visits to a dentist in Simpsonville, SC, to maintain good oral health. In addition to preventing more serious dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease, a balanced diet can significantly contribute to healthier teeth and gums. Unsure about what is healthy and what is not? Here are the top picks for maintaining healthy gums and teeth. 

Foods Good for the Teeth and Gums

Sugar-Free Gum

Although sugar-free gum isn’t considered “food,” it’s important to note that it can help prevent tooth decay and improve oral health by stimulating saliva production. Saliva helps neutralize acids and flushes sweets out of your mouth. Sugar-free gum can aid in the body’s defense against microorganisms and the early stages of tooth decay. 

Water

Since 99.5% of saliva is water, not drinking enough water can cause dehydration, which can thicken saliva and cause other oral health problems. Water intake must be at its highest for meal digestion, bacterial acid neutralization, and tooth decay prevention. It can also help reduce plaque by washing away food particles and lowering discoloration from beverages like dark fruit juices, tea, and coffee. 

Additionally, drinking water is healthier for your teeth than fruit juices, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sodas since these drinks are loaded with sugar. You can even benefit from the perks fluoride offers if you pick tap water over bottled water. Remember fluoridated water can help guard teeth against tooth decay  

Chocolate

You might be shocked to learn that chocolate containing at least 70% cacao when consumed in moderation is actually a fabulously satisfying superfood when it comes to getting healthy teeth. This is due to the presence of cocoa bean husk, also known as CBH, in dark chocolate, which has been found to help harden tooth enamel and reduce the risk of dental decay. 

The darker the chocolate, the better. It’s important to keep in mind that the beneficial ingredient in chocolate is the cacao bean rather than the chocolate itself. In order to protect your teeth, consume it at room temperature, stay away from those with nuts, and be sure to rinse your mouth afterward, especially when you have dentures or braces. 

Green Tea

Bacteria devour oral carbohydrates and release acids that erode tooth enamel. Green tea polyphenols interact with plaque-causing bacteria by squelching or killing them. It can help prevent cavities as it also reduces the acidity of saliva and dental plaque. 

Green tea also contains catechin, an antioxidant that lessens inflammation in the body and is an excellent drink for your teeth. Additionally, it helps decrease your risk of periodontal disease, which can harm your gums and the bone framework supporting your teeth. This will improve the general health of your teeth and gums. 

Veggies and Fruits

Because they increase saliva production and help dilute your food’s sugar level, high-fiber foods like apples, carrots, and celery, and those with a high-water content like salad greens are excellent for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. They can actually “clean” your teeth in a manner akin to how your toothbrush does! 

Sweet potatoes, broccoli, pumpkins, and carrots are among the finest foods for dental health. They are rich in Vitamin A, which is necessary for the development of enamel. 

Citrus fruits including grapefruits, limes, lemons, and oranges are also beneficial to oral health because they include vitamin C, which can assist in strengthening blood vessels and connective tissue as well as prevent gum disease by lowering inflammation. Let’s not forget about strawberries.  

They not only have a lot of vitamin C, but they also have malic acid, an enzyme that naturally whitens teeth. To prevent too much acid from getting in touch with your teeth, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after eating any acidic meal. 

Fish

For many reasons, including for brain health, calcium is a crucial component of a healthy diet. Additionally, it is essential for guarding your teeth and gums against disease. Leafy green vegetables, soy, tofu, milk, and dairy products including cheese, milk, and yoghurt all contain calcium. However, if we don’t receive enough Vitamin D, our system won’t be able to absorb calcium efficiently. 

Consuming fatty fish frequently enables your gums and teeth to benefit fully from calcium’s ability to fight disease. Examples of fatty fish are salmon and mackerel. 

Dairy Products

Dairy foods are an essential component of a healthy diet for both children and adults because they are a member of the main food groups. At least 10 vital nutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, vitamins A and B12, and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and magnesium, are present in foods like cheese, milk, and yoghurt. 

Dairy products are among the finest meals for dental health because they can shield tooth enamel from erosion and help prevent tooth decay. This is because the casein protein found in these meals, along with calcium and phosphorus, helps form a protective protein film across the surface of your teeth’s enamel. 

In addition, the mixture can aid in tooth restoration following acid erosion. Particularly if you’ve eaten sweets, citrus, or bread, cheese eaten after a meal can balance the acid left behind. 

If you enjoy treating yourself with flavored milk drinks every once in a while, you should be aware that a lot of them still contain sugar. Check the product label before indulging, even though they are better for your teeth than other sweetened beverages and some fruit juices (like pineapple and orange juice).

Get Tips on How to Improve Oral Health From a Dentist in Simpsonville, SC

Want some tips on improving your diet that’s better for your teeth? Schedule an appointment with us today!