Did you know that avoiding too many sugary foods and drinks can help prevent common oral issues like cavities, gum disease, and injuries? This is because bacteria in your mouth thrive on this sweet ingredient, contributing to dental decay and other issues.
Minimizing your consumption is an easy and effective way to protect your grin, but you can also prevent potential problems by eating foods that strengthen and maintain your teeth and gums rather than harm them. Continue reading to learn about 3 popular choices that can support your smile instead!
Option #1: Dairy Products
Many people don’t realize that milk and other dairy products are good for their teeth because of the high calcium content. This naturally occurring mineral is the primary building block of teeth and bones and helps maintain their structure and density once they’re formed.
However, your body doesn’t produce calcium on its own, meaning that increasing the amount of dairy in your daily menu can potentially improve your oral health. Remember, though, that some yogurts are sweetened with sugar and other flavors, so try to stick to sugar-free options and add some honey if it’s too sour for your taste buds.
Option #2: Citrus Fruits
It’s easy to think of your teeth as immovable mounds in your mouth, but the truth is that they’re held in place by your gums, so they have some natural capacity for movement. Caring for these tissues correctly is imperative to avoid periodontal disease, which starts slowly but progressively worsens the longer it goes unaddressed. Eventually, your gums might pull away from your enamel to escape the infection, leaving your teeth without a stable foundation. Unfortunately, this is the number one leading cause of tooth loss.
You can thankfully avoid gum issues by eating more citrus fruits because they’re full of vitamin C. This water-soluble nutrient supports your body’s collagen production, which is crucial for the structure and resilience of your connective tissues.
Option #3: Leafy Greens
You can also avoid potential problems by including more leafy greens in your meals for a few reasons. Firstly, the rougher texture of this foliage can scrub plaque off your teeth and gums when you chew to cleanse them. Not only that, but you have to chew longer to pulverize the fibrous strands enough to be easily swallowed and digested, which increases your saliva production.
Spit is your mouth’s primary defense against oral issues because it rinses away leftover food, germs, and other problematic debris. It also has a nearly neutral pH value to counteract acid damage from foods you eat to preserve your enamel.
Eating less sugar and more smile-friendly foods can help safeguard your smile in the long run!
About the Practice
Patients at EMA Dental benefit from a team of general dentists and advanced care providers who share decades of combined experience. They collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to meet even the most unique needs. Then, they combine a caring approach with state-of-the-art technology to improve your comfort while delivering accurate results intended to last. They understand how your oral health can impact your general well-being and strive to improve your life by enhancing your dental condition. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (413) 568-1698.