Foods for healthy teeth and gums

Possessing healthy teeth and gums are of major importance for your general health and well-being. Our teeth and gums reflect what we eat, and thus eating the right food can be the difference between a great smile or frequent dental visits. On the other hand, if you consume excessive amounts of starchy or sugary foods then this will likely lead to unhealthy teeth and gums, with the potential for issues such as decay and gum disease. Simply maintaining good oral hygiene is not enough, and therefore, our diets play a key role in keeping our gums healthy and strong. To help you maintain your gums and teeth in excellent condition, the best and worst foods to eat have been outlined below.

The best foods to eat for healthy teeth and gums

Nuts

Nuts are a great way to keep your teeth and gums strong as they are full of calcium and phosphorous, which are highly beneficial for teeth. The key nuts to include in your diet are walnuts, peanuts, and almonds. Walnuts are especially great due to being full of nutrients and vitamins such as zinc, Vitamin B6, fibre, folic acid, magnesium, iron, niacin, potassium, thiamine and Vitamin E. Additionally, peanuts and almonds are both full of calcium and vitamin D.

One thing to note about nuts are they can be fairly hard so be careful. If you have large fillings or weak teeth, then the risk of fractures can increase. Consult your dentist if you have any concerns.

Fresh fruits & vegetables

The best addition to your diet is fresh fruits and vegetables, as they have a decent number of nutritional benefits. Crisp vegetables such as celery, cucumbers and carrots can help eradicate plaque from teeth. While fibre-rich fruits and vegetables can encourage saliva production to help clean teeth and restore minerals that have been lost. Additionally, many fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants and vitamins to help safeguard the gums from cell damage and potential bacterial infection. Some of the key fruits and vegetables to include in your diet have been outlined below

• Bananas
• Berries especially Strawberries and Cranberries
• Raisins and Prunes
• Broccoli and Cauliflower
• Onions
• Sweet Potatoes
• Shiitake Mushrooms
• Garlic
• Whole Grains

Dairy products

Almost all dairy products have great benefits for teeth, this includes yoghurt, cheese, and milk. These products are low in sugar, high in calcium and contain casein which can help strengthen the enamel. Calcium is essential for bone health, while a lack of sugar can avoid damage to the teeth. The high amount of phosphate in cheese can also help deal with any acidity within the mouth and avoid potential enamel damage. Cheese also helps encourage saliva production, which can wash away damaging bacteria. Moreover, yoghurt also is full of probiotics which can help in safeguarding teeth and gums from cavities, poor breath, and periodontal disease.

Be careful of dried fruits such as raisons as they contain lots of sugar. They are also very sticky so tend to cling to tooth surfaces which can increase the risk of decay substantially.

The worst foods to eat for healthy teeth and gums

Chocolate and sweets

Chocolate and sweets can be very harmful to teeth as they can stick to teeth and break down enamel. The most problematic items are toffee and caramel as they are particularly sticky and can thus remain on teeth even when brushing or rinsing. Subsequently, ensure you undertake a thorough oral routine following any consumption of these items.

Sugary and soft drinks

Perhaps the worst offender to healthy gums and teeth is sugar, and thus sugary drinks can be the most harmful as they coat your teeth/gums in damaging sugar. Not only this, but soft drinks usually also have citric/phosphoric acid which further wears away enamel. If you do happen to have a soft drink, then try to drink it through a straw to avoid it making direct contact with teeth.

Good oral hygiene can help you to keep your teeth for life and ensure they stay in excellent condition. If you would like further advice on day-to-day oral hygiene, our hygienists can advise you on this as well, making sure your teeth remain healthy and that you put good habits into place.