Your Teeth Are What You Eat: The Diet & Dental Health Connection

You don’t need to be a dentist to know that brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups are critical to oral health. But that’s just the beginning of what it takes to maintain a beautiful smile. The truth is the foods you eat can have a huge impact on your teeth and gums. Being smart about your diet is also the foundation of great dental health.

Obviously sugar foods and drinks like candy and soda will have a negative impact on your teeth. But as dentists, we want you to be aware that other foods you might not think about can also affect your oral health. Here’s what you need to know about your diet, how it affects your oral health, and what you can do to maintain a healthy smile by monitoring your food and drink.

Acidic Food & Drink

You don’t usually think of orange juice as bad for your teeth, but it’s highly acidic — this will wear away the enamel on your teeth. Too many acidic foods and drinks can lead to tooth sensitivity and tooth pain. Avoid drinking too much juice. Rinse your mouth with water afterwards. You might also brush your teeth with a toothpaste like Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair that can help re-harden acid-softened enamel. Food and drink that is high in dairy such as milk, yogurt, and cheese can neutralize the acid and minimize the impact on teeth.

Watch Out for Sticky Foods

Sticky foods like honey, raisins, dried fruit and molasses cling to the surfaces of teeth and increase your risk of cavities. These items are fine in moderation, but be sure to brush afterwards. You might also try rinsing your mouth with a drink of water.

Beware of Teeth Staining Drinks

Drinks like coffee, red wine, and tea can permanently stain your teeth and ruin the appearance of your smile. They contain color pigments called chromogens, which attach to and stain tooth enamel. You can still enjoy these drinks, but be sure to drink plenty of water afterwards.

And if your smile has been stained by these beverages, consider a professional teeth whitening. It can restore your smile as good as new.

Eat Fiber Rich Fruits & Vegetables

Food high in fiber will stimulate the flow of your saliva, which provides a natural bath for your mouth. Saliva cleanses away the sugars that cause cavities and also neutralizes the acids that eat away your teeth. So take it from your dentist — eat your veggies.

Choose Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Foods that are anti-inflammatory like cherries, blueberries, kale, broccoli, beans, and lentils are great for your teeth. An anti-inflammatory diet encourages healthier gums and lower rates of tooth loss, according to research published in the journal Clinical Nutrition. Foods that are more refined and high in saturated fats contribute to inflammation.

“Participants in our study were considered to follow a pro-inflammatory diet if their diet was particularly rich in carbohydrates, trans-fat, or had overall high caloric intake,” says lead author and periodontist Georgios A. Kotsakis, DDS, MS, an assistant professor in the department of periodontics at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking water is good for your body and great for your teeth. It washes away food particles, reducing your risk for cavities. It also encourages saliva production, naturally bathes your teeth, and washes away acids that can eat at your enamel. Water is great for dental health.