It’s not so surprising that your dental health is closely connected to your nutritional intake, but what you might not know is that it goes beyond the obvious recommendations and can help alleviate many dental health issues including periodontal disease.
We have always been told to stay away from sugar, hard candy and gummy substances that can stick to our teeth and cause bacterial growth. Foods high in carbohydrates, sugars and starches can lead to plaque acids that are known to break down tooth enamel, forming a cavity.
However, did you know that as important as the foods we should avoid, are the foods we should consider introducing more of into our diets.
Foods That Support Good Dental Health
- Almonds: Over the last decade we’ve heard a lot about the overall health benefits of nuts, but did you know they are also a great choice for your dental health? Almonds provide your body with much-needed calcium and protein while being low in sugar. Snack away!
- Carrots, Celery: Think Crunch! Crunchy fruits and vegetables increase the flow of saliva, cleansing bacteria out of your mouth and away from your teeth. Beware… choose fruits and vegetables that aren’t high in acid as these choices, although they get you to your 5 to 10 servings a day, can damage your tooth enamel.
- Cheese: Dairy products have been found to reduce the amount of acid in your mouth. The act of chewing cheese, especially hard cheeses, creates additional saliva in your mouth, critical to reducing acid build up. Plus, cheese contains calcium and protein… two nutrients proven to strengthen your tooth enamel.
- Green Tea: While it may be an acquired taste for some, green tea has beneficial health properties for your dental health. Green tea is known to slow down the production of harmful bacteria in your mouth and also contains many antioxidants that promote overall well-being. Cheers!
- Leafy Greens: A variety of leafy greens is just plain good for you (you can tell because it appears on every What to Eat list). Their combination of healthy vitamins and minerals, combined with their calcium content, make this a great choice for your oral health.
- Water: Water is just a key element to overall health and sadly not many people drink the recommended 8-cups a day. Water is key to good dental health because it rinses away the food particles from your teeth – especially after eating something you shouldn’t have! It also dilutes any acid in your mouth, helping to protect your teeth from its harmful effects.
There are a few more foods we could have added to the list, such as milk, sweet potatoes, yogurt, etc… but these are our faves!
If you suspect you might be at risk for periodontal disease, don’t delay… talk to your dentist or the experts at Periodontal Associates today about what you can do to care for your gums. They are the only gums that you have.
Contact us today if you have any questions about your Periodontal health and how diet can help keep your mouth, teeth and gums in optimal condition.
Call us at 647-931-5349, 1-800-341-7471 or fill out the form below to email us.
