Foods To Eat And Avoid For Healthy Teeth And Gums
Making every effort to support healthy teeth and gums is crucial. At Pollard Dental, we do all we can to help our patients achieve this by performing routine oral hygiene examinations and dental treatments as necessary. It is important for patients to do their part as well: cleaning their teeth at home and making wise food choices. Your diet plays a large part in the state of your oral health. We want to share some healthy food and beverage options that promote excellent oral health.
Foods to Eat
We encourage you to enjoy these foods to promote healthy teeth and gums. In addition to eating these foods, be sure to drink plenty of water. Water is not only ideal for the body, but it also helps rid the mouth of lingering food particles and bacteria. Choose foods like:
- Yogurt and cheese
- Lean protein
- Fish
- Leafy greens
- Crunchy fruits and vegetables such as carrots, celery, and apples
Foods to Avoid
Some foods encourage tooth decay to develop and should be limited. If you indulge in these foods, be sure to clean your teeth thoroughly as soon as you can:
- Sticky Sweets and Candy – Sticky foods linger on the teeth until they are cleaned with a toothbrush. Tooth decay starts to develop from sticky foods on the teeth. If you crave a sweet treat, chocolate is a better choice. It melts in your mouth and does not stick to teeth.
- Starchy Foods – These are foods like chips and crackers. The next time you eat these foods, you will notice that they always make their way into the cracks and crevices on the surface of the teeth. Just as with sticky foods, decay will develop from these foods.
- Carbonated Drinks – Even drinks such as seltzer can be harmful to teeth if overconsumed. The acidity in carbonated drinks can damage tooth enamel.
The best way to ensure your teeth are healthy is to visit our office and follow our recommendations for your dental needs. We encourage you to contact our office, which is located in Silverdale, WA, to schedule your next appointment for an oral hygiene examination. We will not only examine and clean your teeth but also recommend a treatment if necessary. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
