Every part of your body requires certain nutrients to function properly, and without them you may experience some health complications. Your teeth are no exception to this rule. Proper dental health nutrition allows your teeth to remain strong, healthy, and last a lifetime. Your teeth actually require specific minerals, and can only obtain them through the food you eat. When you eat a poor, unbalanced diet, your teeth and gums can suffer just like the rest of your body.
Beneficial Foods
Because tooth decay is caused by bacteria that produce corrosive acids, you should eat a variety of alkaline based foods to counteract the acidity. These can include whole grains, lean meats, and fresh produce. To maintain good dental health nutrition, you should also eat dairy and protein products that contain calcium and phosphorus. These minerals are essential in providing your teeth with the nutrients they require for remineralization. Choose crunchy foods, high in water content, like celery and apples, to assist in saliva production and control bacteria growth. Last but not least, drink water instead of sugary drinks to help prevent cavities and gum disease.
Foods To Avoid
It is a general rule that the longer it takes to chew a food item, the longer it will stick to your teeth. Food that sticks to your teeth promotes bacterial growth and tooth decay. Because of this, you should avoid gummy, sticky, chewy, and otherwise hard to eat foods. Some dentists even recommend avoiding popcorn because it is notorious for causing painful gum infections when a kernel becomes lodged. Foods that are too hard to chew easily can also cause tooth damage in the form of chips and cracks. Also, many drinks are extremely harmful to your dental health, like sodas, because of their high acid and sugar content that create a perfect environment for tooth decay to occur.
ABOUT YOUR KATY DENTIST:
Dr. Colin Lathrop and the Lathrop Dental Center proudly serve patients and families from in and around Katy, Fulshear, Weston Lakes, Simonton, Richmond, Rosenberg, Brookshire, Wallis, Orchard, and all surrounding communities. If you’d like to schedule a dental appointment, you can reach our office in Katy, TX, by calling (832) 437-3849.
