Good and Bad Foods for Nutrition and Oral Health

Nutrition and oral health go hand in hand and play a huge role when it comes to your teeth and gums.

A healthy diet means stronger teeth and healthier gums.

According to Dr. Jack Ringer, past president and an Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry your teeth must be healthy before you can even consider cosmetic dentistry.

Monitor eating habits for nutrition and oral health and watch what you put in your mouth. Your favorite snack may not be as innocent as you think.

If you are unsure that your diet is keeping your mouth in the best shape possible read on for some healthy eating tips to keep your teeth and gums in pristine condition.

Bad Foods for Nutrition and Oral Health

Sweets-By monitoring your families eating habits along with your own, you can prevent dental caries. Even adults can be guilty of snacking on chocolate, hard candy and other teeth damaging sweets. Refined sugar is the culprit and should be avoided at all costs.

Acidic Foods-The enamel on your teeth will begin to erode if you suck on lemons or indulge in oranges, grapefruits, limes, and kiwi fruit. Even tomatoes can erode your teeth. Dr. Ringer recommends that you enjoy acidic fruits and other acidic foods with a meal. If you must indulge, rinse after eating.

Sticky Foods-You may have lost weight thanks to the dried fruit you have been eating at lunch instead of your regular burger, but your teeth may not be so happy about it. Dried figs, apricots, mangoes, pineapples and other dried fruit will remain in the crevices of your teeth. If you have dental restorations, sticky foods can actually pull them out.

Sports and Energy Drinks-If you indulge in a sports or energy drink after a workout you may want to reconsider your daily habit. Energy and sports drinks are loaded with sugar that will eat away at the enamel on your teeth. Add the acid from the carbonation to the mix and you are headed for disaster.

While some foods invite bacteria and decay to the party, others can help fight plaque and tartar.

Good Foods for Healthy Teeth

Dairy Products-Cheese, milk and other dairy products are loaded with calcium. Calcium helps build strong bones so it is only natural that it will do the same for your teeth. Calcium helps incoming teeth in babies and children while helping prevent dental caries and osteoporosis in teens and adults. For those of you who are intolerant to lactose try beans, tofu, spinach, or calcium fortified soy milk.

Green Tea-Enjoyed hot or cold, green tea is beneficial to your overall health and the health of your teeth and gums. In a recent study, it was found the green tea reduced oral bacteria. This can promote healthy teeth and gums and overall nutrition and oral health. What’s even better is that green tea could reduce the risks of oral cancer.

Eat your Veggies-Try to enjoy four to five servings of fresh vegetables every day. Not only will this help your waistline, it will also help your teeth. If you are out and about and can’t floss, try a stick of celery known as nature’s dental floss.

If you would like more information regarding nutrition and oral health, call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist in Anaheim Hills, Dr. Jack Ringer. Dr. Ringer will make sure that you are on the road to health with a nutritious diet that will keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy for the rest of your life.

Call for a no obligation nutrition and oral health consultation and don’t forget to ask about a new smile for your not so happy grin. You’ll be glad you did. Call or click now.