Your teeth and gums are essential for chewing – the first step in the digestion process. All components of the food you eat and the beverages you drink affect your teeth and gums. What you put in your mouth impacts your overall health as well as your dental health. Our Richmond, VA, braces provider explains how your diet affects your dental health and what to avoid to prevent cavities and gum disease.
Why Diet Matters
Everything you eat has the possibility of contributing to tooth decay and gum disease. How often you consume sugary foods, sweet beverages, and even certain medical conditions (such as dry mouth or acid reflux), can increase your risk of decay or weaken enamel, leading to poor oral health. It’s important to watch what you eat and brush and floss daily.
What To Avoid
Since the bacteria in your mouth use carbohydrates for food, cutting back on sugar can prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying. These bacteria cause cavities and gum inflammation, so try to limit sugar in your diet. Avoid sugary sodas, candy, and check for added sugars in packaged foods. If you do eat something sweet, be sure to brush your teeth right after to prevent plaque buildup.
Dental-Friendly Foods
Aside from avoiding sweets, there are foods you can eat to encourage dental health! Foods with calcium, protein, and phosphorous are good for your teeth. Some of these include:
- Yogurt
- Milk
- Cheese
- Leafy greens
- Nuts
Additionally, fruits and vegetables are high in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, and water, all of which help clean the teeth and prevent tooth decay. Add some of these foods to your diet today to encourage excellent dental health!
Contact Our Richmond, VA, Braces Provider To Learn More Today!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to orthodontics, feel free to contact White Orthodontics, with a convenient orthodontic office for braces or Invisalign in Richmond, VA, by clicking here or by calling 804.715.1998.