Dentist in Matthews Suggests Foods to Prevent Tooth Decay

It is a common fact that treating yourself to sugary food, drinks, and snacks is bad for your teeth. However, are you aware that there are certain foods that can prevent tooth decay? Some of these foods can either contain nutrients that help strengthen your tooth enamel or simply make your teeth strong enough to fight cavities.

You can easily take care of your teeth by forming healthy eating patterns and food choices. Eating more foods that are bad for your teeth will only affect your oral health negatively. Today, your dentist in Matthews, NC, will help you by listing out some of the best foods to prevent tooth decay, but first, let’s see how food affects your oral health.

How Food Can Prevent Tooth Decay

Eating foods such as cereals, low-sugar bread, whole grains, fruits, veggies, and proteins are great for improving your oral health. They are also vital in preventing tooth decay because when you chew firm, watery, fibrous, and coarse foods, they improve saliva production in your mouth. This helps remove leftover food particles.

Best Foods for Your Oral Health 

There are many healthy foods that can remove bacteria and acids from your teeth and keep them strong. If allergies or sensitivities will prevent you from eating certain foods, there are still many options you can choose from. 

You can contact your dentist for further information. Take a look at some of the best foods for your oral health include:

Cheese, Milk, and Yogurt

Cheese provides numerous benefits to your teeth. It contains little sugar and is rich in calcium. The calcium in it helps maintain bone density and also fortifies tooth enamel. Cheese is also high in phosphate which balances acid levels in the mouth, further preserving the tooth enamel.

Milk is one of the best drinks when it comes to your teeth. It has a high calcium concentration and other important elements. Like cheese, milk also lowers the acid levels in your mouth, which helps prevent tooth decay. 

Yogurt also contains calcium and probiotics that help your teeth fight against gum disease, cavities, and bad breath.

Crunchy Vegetables and Fruits

Crunchy fruits and vegetables also prevent tooth decay because they increase your saliva flow thanks to their high fiber content. The popular saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” can also include your dentist. Hence, you should combine a few slices of celery, apple, or carrots with your main dish to clean your teeth after you eat.

Since fruits and vegetables contain water and fiber, they also help with saliva production in your mouth, which rinses any leftover sugar from your teeth before it can attack your tooth enamel.

Whole Grains

Whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat bread, pasta, and other whole grains are healthy food choices for your teeth. Unlike other carbohydrates that stick to your teeth and contribute to cavity formation, whole grains have complex carbohydrates that reduce the growth of bacteria in your mouth. In addition, they offer plenty of nutrients that help your teeth and gums stay healthy.

Seafood

Seafood, such as lobster, fish, and shellfish, are excellent for your teeth. They are a great source of lean protein that can help your teeth stay strong and healthy. Most seafood contains fluoride due to the natural sodium fluoride found in the ocean. Fluoride is great for your oral health because it can lower your risk for tooth decay. 

Garlic and Onions

Although garlic and onions are not a go-to option for fresh breath, they possess very strong antibacterial properties that fight some of the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Garlic is in allicin, which has powerful antimicrobial properties that fight periodontal disease and tooth decay.

Nuts and Other Protein Sources

If you can’t eat seafood due to an allergy, there are various protein-rich foods that can help your teeth just like seafood can. Nuts are rich in protein, phosphorus, and calcium, which help strengthen your teeth’s enamel. Eggs, chicken, and other types of lean meat are a few other sources of protein that are beneficial to your teeth.

Prevent Tooth Decay with Dental Care in Matthews

What you eat can greatly help with protecting your teeth, but a healthy diet isn’t the only oral care you need to maintain. When it comes to preventing tooth decay, a great oral care routine at home is essential. While you eat these healthy foods, you also need to remember to brush twice daily and use fluoride toothpaste. If you ever have questions or need assistance with a dental concern, we provide top of the line tooth decay treatments in Matthews, NC, to help prevent or take care of tooth decay.

In addition, you can request an appointment with your dentist for teeth cleanings and dental check-ups twice a year, so any oral issues can be detected before they get worse.