If you make regular trips to the dentist, you probably hear about how to keep your teeth clean and how your dental hygiene routine can improve. What you may not realize is how important diet is to your oral health. The best hygiene regimen in the world can’t fully make up for a poor diet. Likewise, healthy eating habits can reduce the need for specialized attention and maintenance for your teeth. By keeping your teeth strong and healthy, you can reduce the likelihood and impact of common dental complaints. But how?
When it comes right down to it, most dental complaints can be traced back to sugar. Bacteria that cause decay feed on sugars, so eating a lot of candy or drinking soda can really do a number on your teeth.
Your body has a built-in system for cleaning your mouth and avoiding decay: saliva. Drinking water itself can help wash sugar and food particles out of your mouth. Staying hydrated also boosts saliva production to reduce tooth decay.
Everyone knows that dairy builds strong bones. The calcium in dairy is important for the health of your bones, teeth, and tooth enamel. Cultured dairy products such as yogurt or cheese are even better. Their probiotic properties boost the population of “good” bacteria in your mouth while driving out the “bad” bacteria that cause decay.
Doctors frequently recommend leafy green vegetables as a rich source of vitamins. Those vitamins can do wonders for your teeth, too! One of the most important is folic acid. Folic acid is a B vitamin that has been shown to fight tooth decay.
Do you have more questions about what diet can do for your smile? We are happy to answer questions about giving your teeth the best chance. To schedule an appointment to talk about your dental health, contact us online, or call our Riverhead office at (631) 574-3898 or our Roslyn office at (516) 619-8099 today. If you have any questions about dental concerns or treatment, our dentists will be happy to answer them.
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