Eating For Dental Health – Which Foods Help, Which Foods Hurt

Dec 7th, 2015
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

What foods should you be eating for your dental health? We’re talking about dental diets – which foods help and which foods to avoid.

When it comes to your health, you’re well aware that the foods you put into your body have a direct impact on your overall wellbeing – but what about your teeth? What you eat matters, and there is a distinct line between what food is good for your teeth, and which ones will take a quick toll on your dental health. While it’s common knowledge that too much candy and sugar are harmful to your teeth, there may be some foods on the list that surprise you. We’re looking at which foods to eat for good dental health, and which ones to avoid.

Foods For Healthy Teeth
On top of keeping up with your daily brushing and flossing, if you’re looking to keep your teeth healthy and strong, these are the foods for you:

Milk. It’s no secret that calcium is great for your teeth. Not only will it help keep the teeth and jaw strong, it will also help guard against gum disease.

Almonds. In a well-portioned diet, almonds are perfect for helping keep teeth healthy. These delicious nuts contain both protein and calcium, and are low in sugar.

Strawberries. This delicious fruit contains vitamin C, which produces gum strengthening collagen. Just remember to floss afterwards.

Cheese. Another great source of calcium is cheese. Furthermore, studies indicate that cheese will raise the pH balance in the mouth and reduces the risk of tooth decay.

Foods That Are Bad For Your Teeth
When it comes to snacking, there are certain foods that should be avoided in order to maintain great dental health. Here are some foods you should swap out of your diet.

Ice. It may seem fun and satisfying to crunch an ice cube in half, but this habit is detrimental to your oral health. While ice doesn’t contain any sugars, chewing on these rock hard morsels can actually damage your tooth enamel.

Lemons. Lemons and limes contain a pH level of 2, meaning these delicious drink toppers are strong enough to erode your tooth enamel. This can lead to teeth yellowing and sensitivity.

Hard Fruits And Vegetables. Vegetables and fruits are fantastic for your diet, but hard or crunchy fruits such as apples can actually damage sensitive teeth. Avoid taking an eager bite into the side of hard or crunchy foods. Instead, ingest such foods in small, bite-sized pieces.

Sodas. Sodas are notoriously full of sugar, and are terrible for your teeth. Even diet sodas will wreak havoc on the integrity of your teeth. If you can’t kick this deliciously bad habit, try sipping your soda through a straw. The farther away this carbonated beverage gets from your teeth, the better.

Corn On The Cob. Corn on the cob can cause some unfortunate damage to fillings and orthodontic wires attached to braces, as well as damage dentures. Don’t worry; you can still enjoy this delicious food, just not on the cob.

Looking for a dentist in the Columbus Ohio area? Come to The Dental Center at Easton Town Center. We offer restorative dentistry, emergency care, and accept a wide variety of dental insurance plans. Drop in, or schedule an appointment today.

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