A healthy smile depends on more than brushing. What you eat and drink, and how often you snack, also affect your teeth. Bacteria in dental plaque use sugars to produce acids that can cause cavities. Acidic drinks can also wear down enamel, even when they contain no sugar.
You do not need a perfect diet. A few practical changes can help you look after your smile between dental visits.
Foods and drinks that support healthy teeth
- Plain water: Make it your everyday drink. It helps rinse away food residue without adding sugar. Water containing fluoride also helps protect against cavities.
- Plain dairy foods: Milk, cheese and unsweetened yogurt provide calcium. Check flavored products for added sugars.
- Whole fruits and vegetables: These add fiber and nutrients to a balanced diet. Chewing stimulates saliva, but eating an apple does not replace brushing or cleaning between your teeth.
- Varied meals: Include foods such as eggs, fish, beans and whole grains rather than relying on sugary snacks throughout the day.
Foods and habits worth limiting
- Sticky sweets: Caramels and gummy candy can cling to teeth. Some dried fruits also stick, so take care to clean away trapped food.
- Sugary drinks: Soda, sweetened coffee, sports drinks and fruit drinks can expose teeth to sugar repeatedly when sipped for hours.
- Acidic drinks and sour candy: Frequent contact with acid can erode enamel. Sugar-free soda can still be acidic.
- Ice and hard candy: Chewing very hard items can chip or crack teeth. Let ice cool your drink rather than chewing it.
Make small changes that fit your day
If you have sweets, enjoy them with a meal instead of grazing on them all afternoon. Choose water between meals and read labels for added sugars. Nutritious acidic foods, including citrus fruit, can still fit into your diet; have them with meals rather than repeatedly exposing your teeth throughout the day.
After acidic food or drinks, rinse with water and wait about an hour before brushing. Continue brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth every day.
Keep prevention part of your routine
Food choices support oral health, but they cannot replace an exam or professional cleaning. Learn about cleaning and preventive dental care at Finesse Dental in Rancho Cucamonga.
To discuss your dental care, call (909) 852-6787 or schedule an appointment online.
Sources: American Dental Association — Diet and Dental Health, Foods That Can Damage Teeth, and Dietary Acids and Your Teeth.
