Did you know that the food we eat plays a vital role in how healthy and strong our teeth are? While daily brushing and flossing are necessary, eating nutritious food helps maintain excellent oral health and boosts our overall health in general. During your visit to our Fort McMurray dental clinic, we recommend some of the following food for healthy teeth and what foods to avoid to prevent tooth decay.
Fruits and vegetables that have a high volume of water
Fruits and vegetables that have high water content help wash away the acids that attack the tooth enamel. While food like bananas, sweet potatoes, and sweet corn are considered healthy, they are also high in starch. If you’re eating a high-starch fruit or vegetable, we recommend brushing your teeth shortly after.
For fruits and vegetables that have a high volume of water without a high starch content, we recommend:
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew
- Cucumbers
- Celery
- Peaches
- Plums
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Iceberg lettuce
Good sources of calcium
Cheese is one of the healthiest food for healthy teeth not only because of its high calcium but because cheese triggers the flow of saliva which washes food particles away. Other foods that are high in calcium include:
- Milk
- Sugar-free yogurt
- Almonds
- Sesame seeds
- Tofu
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Edamame
- Bok Choy
- Figs
- White beans
- Okra
Foods high in Vitamin C
Vitamin C has many, many health benefits. For your oral health, Vitamin C helps fight against gingivitis (inflamed gums, referred to as the early stage of gum disease) by strengthening your gums and the soft tissues in your mouth.
Some foods that are high in Vitamin C content include:
- Green bell peppers
- Acerola cherries
- Oranges
- Kiwi
- Pineapple
- Grapefruit
- Guava
- Brussel sprouts
Foods to avoid to maintain strong and healthy teeth and gums
When we consume food and drink that is high in sugar and carbs, the bacteria in plaque produce acid. Tooth decay occurs when this acid breaks down the tooth surface and causes holes, also known as cavities. To fight against tooth decay, avoid the following sugary and sticky foods:
- Candy
- Cake
- Caramel
- Syrup
- Soda
- Juice
- Fruit snacks
- Gum
- Dried fruit
Of course, our dental clinic in Fort McMurray understands that sometimes the above food and drink can’t be avoided 100% of the time. If you do plan to consume sugary and sticky foods, drink a glass of water to remove food particles and be sure to brush and floss your teeth soon after consuming.
