Best and Worst Foods For Your Teeth

Healthy habits to keep your teeth pearly white include brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist routinely for exams and professional cleanings. But what else can you do to maintain a healthy smile and achieve your oral health goals? Pay attention to what you eat and drink! In addition to having an impact on your overall health, the foods and drinks you consume have a significant impact on your oral and dental health. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong foods are essential to maintaining a bright, healthy smile.

The foods and drinks that you enjoy daily contain various starches and sugars. When these ingredients come in contact with the plaque in your mouth, microscopic activity begins to occur such that acids form. The acids attack and erode the enamel of your teeth while bacteria that is fed by certain foods invites tooth decay and can cause inflammation in the soft tissues of the mouth leading to deterioration of the gums, bones and supporting structures of your teeth. However, certain foods can also have a positive effect on the strength and health of tooth enamel and can actually fight the buildup of plaque and the growth of harmful bacteria.

The ADA (American Dental Association) provides a helpful video and more information regarding diet and dental health, or you can continuing reading below for a summary of food and drink recommendations for a healthy mouth.

Worst Foods For Your Teeth

What are some foods to avoid? The following list contains foods that present a higher risk for causing tooth decay and inflammation. These foods contain ingredients which feed the bacteria or contain acids that lead to tooth decay and gum disease in your mouth. 

While not necessary to eliminate these foods entirely from your diet, the following foods should be only enjoyed in moderation. Additionally, it is recommended that you brush your teeth after eating them to limit the acid that is produced when these foods come in contact with the plaque on your teeth. 

• Sticky candies and sweets
• Starchy foods that get stuck between your teeth such as bread and potato chips
• Carbonated soft drinks – Drinks containing sugar and acid are one of the worst treats for your teeth. Many of these drinks contain citric acids that wear away tooth enamel.

Best Foods For Your Teeth

Some of the best foods for a healthy mouth are foods that help your mouth to produce more saliva. Next to good oral hygiene, saliva is your best natural defense against cavities and gum disease. 

• Fiber-Filled Fruits and Vegetables – Foods with fiber help keep your teeth and gums clean and help produce saliva. 
• Dairy Products – Calcium and phosphates in milk, cheese, and yogurt help restore minerals that your teeth may have lost due to eating foods that break down enamel. 
• Green and black teas – These contain polyphenols that interact with plaque bacteria. These substances either kill or hold back bacteria. 
• Sugarless chewing gum – Who would believe that your dentist would recommend chewing gum as a healthy choice? Chewing sugarless gum creates saliva that helps to remove food particles from your mouth. 
• Drink water with fluoride – Fluoridated drinking water helps to protect your tooth enamel. 

More Tips For A Healthy Mouth

• Eat sugary foods with meals. If you choose to eat sugary foods, it is best to eat with meals. Your mouth makes more saliva during meals, which helps to reduce the effect of acid production and to rinse pieces of food from the mouth.
• Limit between-meal snacks.
• Drink more water.
• Brush your teeth twice a day.
• Floss once a day.
• Visit your dentist for every 6 months, as recommended by the ADA, to maintain an accurate understanding your oral health and to prevent serious and costly conditions from developing.

If you have additional questions about what foods or drinks can help or harm your oral health, our dentists at Smiley Pearls in Sachse, TX, are happy to discuss this information in more detail during your next dental appointment. If you have a unique oral or dental health condition, Dr. Steven Chen can provide a thorough examination of your teeth and help direct you to what foods and drinks you should eliminate or introduce to help avoid future tooth decay. Book your appointment today to enjoy a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles!