Healthy Eating Tips From Our Dental Office

Our dental office provides preventative care to patients with the goal of helping them maintain healthy teeth and gums. We do so by cleaning teeth and removing plaque/ tartar. This allows us to help our patients avoid getting cavities or gum disease.

Also, by cleaning teeth on a regular basis, we make it possible to prolong the lifespan of your natural teeth and any dental restorations. However, there are things you can do at home to also improve your oral health, and healthy eating is at the top of that list.

Most people hear about the importance of brushing and flossing without realizing that those alone, are not enough. Nonetheless, healthy eating is another crucial part of oral health care. This is why you should focus on what you put into your mouth, rather than just cleaning your teeth.

Why is healthy eating important for my teeth?

Everything you eat can either work to erode your teeth/strip away the enamel or help strengthen your teeth.  By strengthening your teeth, you can prevent tooth sensitivity, breakage, and even decay.

Healthy Eating Tips From Our Dental Office

Eat crunchy vegetables

Every diet should contain vegetables because they are good for your teeth and the rest of your body.  Green, leafy vegetables can contain calcium and iron, two things that are useful for strengthening your teeth and bones.

Eat crunchy nuts

When you eat nuts like walnuts, you are actually working to strengthen your teeth through the process of remineralization.

Add sugar-free dairy to your diet

Dairy products like cheese are high in calcium, which is good for your teeth.  Just be sure to select dairy products that are sugar-free.  Loading up on high-sugar ice cream or yogurt, for example, will not help your teeth.  Fortunately, there are options that contain very little sugar.  With ice cream, for example, look for "no sugar added" on the label and read the ingredients.

Eat lean protein

Lean protein like fish and chicken is good for your entire body and for your teeth.  Include it in a well-balanced diet.

Stick with whole wheat

Switch out your processed carbohydrates for whole wheat options.  This will help you cut back on the amount of sugar that you are consuming on a daily basis.  Keep in mind that the more processed something is, the worse it is for you.

Ways to Improve Your Oral Health

Gateway Dental Dr. William Swann DDS also recommends that you take preventative steps to keep your teeth and gums healthy. To start, you can avoid things like drinking soda, smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and drinking too much alcohol.

All of these are bad for your oral health and can lead to conditions like oral cancer, in addition to cavities and gum disease. We also suggest that you brush and floss your teeth twice a day and that you visit our office twice a year to have your teeth examined and cleaned. You can also drink more water on a daily basis, which will help keep your mouth moist and healthy.

How can you really use this?

Request a dental appointment here: http://www.gatewaydental.org or call Gateway Dental Dr. William Swann DDS at (301) 485-7492 for an appointment in our Bowie dental office.