The best (and worst) foods for your teeth

If you are what you eat, then so are your teeth! At our Stourbridge dental practice, we are proud to champion preventative dentistry, which means educating our patients on how best to look after their teeth before we encounter any traumas. If we can effectively sidestep any complications, decay, and dental health issues then we’ve done our job. This means that, as well as regular professional cleanings, we’ll educate you on the things you can do to promote excellent dental health which begins with the foods we eat.

Let’s start with the good news, shall we?

The best foods for your teeth

• Coconut oil is in vogue. Whether you’re using it to cook with, as a moisturiser, or as a hair mask, it’s definitely a prevalent 2018 trend. One of the latest discoveries regarding coconut oil is that it can be used to promote dental health. Swishing and swilling a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 10 minutes can draw out toxins that collect in your mouth, lessening your chances of developing tooth decay.
• Celery packs a crunch that your teeth love. Along with other crunchy foods, celery forces you to chew more when eating it, prompting saliva production. There are so many health benefits to increased saliva production: it keeps the mouth tissue healthy, lubricates food debris to stop it from sticking between our teeth, and fights against cavities. If you’re not a celery fan then carrots, cucumbers, and other crunchy vegetables also do the trick too.
• Fish rich in omega-3 are great for your teeth. Wild salmon and sardines are stuffed full of vitamin D which the body uses to absorb calcium for stronger teeth. They’re also full of phosphorous which contributes positively to protecting your tooth enamel. Omega-3 acids have also been shown to reduce gum disease, so if you’re not a fan of fish you should at least consider fish oil supplements instead.
• Dairy foods, obviously, are great for your teeth. Cheese, yoghurt, and milk are full to the brim with calcium which promotes strong teeth and bones. Cheese in particular is a dairy deity because it contains a protein that strengthens and repairs tooth enamel. What’s more is that cheese can has been found to lower the pH levels in your mouth, reducing the harm that acid can cause proceeding it.

Okay, now time for the bad news…

The worst foods for your teeth

•  Orange and lemon juice, while refreshing, is eroding your enamel. A glass of orange juice in the morning is introducing high acid concentrations to your teeth, attacking them instantly. Adding a slice of lemon to a glass of water has become popular, too, but doing this regularly enough can erode your protective enamel. Our advice is that, as well as cutting back a little, drink these drinks all at once rather than sipping. It lessens the time given to the acids to eat away at your teeth and try to drink some water afterward to wash any remnants away.
• Dried fruits may seem like a healthy snack but they’re harming your dental health. Dried fruits are usually very high in sugars that the bacteria in your mouth can’t wait to feed on. Even if they contain no added sugar, there’s still a lot of natural sugar present. Because of their tough and chewy nature, they can also get stuck in your teeth which can result in decay and cavities. Try to opt for fresh fruit where the sugar is less condensed and less likely to hang around afterwards.
• White bread can form a staple in our children’s lunch boxes, but did you know it’s harming their dental health? Your saliva breaks down the copious enzymes present, turning them into complex sugars that erode your teeth. Its spongey and processed texture can stick in your teeth’s crevices, inviting bacteria and decay. Wholemeal and less processed bread is better for your teeth, but we’d still recommend cutting down.

We’re not asking you to cut out whole food groups, but just to cut back on certain edible criminals. Despite our best efforts, we can sometimes stumble upon dental health issues. If you’re overdue popping into our dental practice, then contact Lion Dental Care at 01384 376336 or enquire online today.