3 Of The Best (And Worst) Foods For Your Oral Health

While the staff here at Family Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry is happy to provide you with reconstructive dental care, we would prefer that you avoid the need for it altogether.

We love seeing healthy smiles, so it is our job to provide you with all of the information that we can for you to keep your teeth and gums in good shape. Today, we’re here to talk to our Harford County patients about some of the best and worst foods for your oral health. While this list is not exhaustive, keep it in mind next time you’re at the grocery store and try to make choices that help rather than harm your dental health.

Best Foods:

• Fresh Veggies: No, this isn’t a public service announcement—we really mean it! Since you were a child, you have probably heard all about the wonders of vegetables from your doctors and healthcare professionals, and that’s because the benefits of veggies are endless. Celery, carrots and leafy greens contain a lot of fiber, which stimulates saliva production. Saliva is your mouth’s natural army against bacteria, as it naturally washes away food, acid and germs.

• Cheese: Who doesn’t love cheese? A 2013 study found that eating cheese helps neutralize the acid in patients’ mouths, lowering their risk of tooth decay. Plus, chewing on cheese stimulates saliva production and naturally rids the mouth of damaging bacteria.

• Apples: The American Dental Association recommends steering clear of most sweet foods, but there certainly are some exceptions. Fruits like apples are usually sweet but are also filled with fiber and water. Like veggies and cheese, apples encourage saliva production and stimulate the gums to keep them healthy and strong. So while an apple does not replace a toothbrush, a slice or two of this filling fruit can help give your mouth a good scrubbing after a meal.

Worst Foods:

• Popcorn: This crunchy treat is fine to snack on every once in awhile, but be careful. Popcorn kernel shells are hard, thin and the perfect size to get lodged between your teeth. When this happens, plaque and bacteria are allowed to gather. The gums can then become inflamed or infected, which may lead to gum disease and other dangerous oral cancers.

• Dried Fruits: While dried fruits are often regarded as healthy alternatives to traditional fatty snacks, watch out for the sugar content. Usually, dried fruits are packed with sugar and have a sticky and chewy consistency. This makes it easy for them to get caught on and between the teeth, causing bacteria to grow. Additionally, dried fruits are made of something called nonsoluble cellulose fibers, a material that can make it more difficult for saliva to wash away sugar.

• Ice: On a hot day, it can be tempting to grab a few ice cubes from the freezer and use them to cool off. According to the ADA, however, chewing on ice can damage enamel and cause tiny fractures in the teeth. Ice can also dislodge dental crowns and fillings, undoing existing dental work whilst creating the need for more. While it is okay to suck on ice cubes, resist the urge to bite down and save your teeth from a host of problems.

Have Questions? Let Us Help.

If you’re surprised by any of these facts, you’re certainly not alone. Many of our favorite foods have sneaky side-effects on our dental health, causing us to unwittingly damage our teeth. If you have questions or want to schedule a oral health consultation, contact our Havre de Grace office today to get started on the path toward a healthier smile.