Did you know that your diet plays a crucial role in your oral health? At TKO Dentistry, we encourage our patients to make smile-healthy choices to lower their risk of dental disease. Dr. Maria Wytko and her compassionate team offer comprehensive preventive solutions and are always happy to share expert tips to support healthy, beautiful smiles for life.
Your Diet and Your Dental Health
It’s important to maintain a balanced, nutritious diet to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Poor dietary choices can significantly elevate the risk of developing dental health problems, including tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease, and oral infections. Moreover, research has shown that oral health conditions, such as gum disease, can progress more rapidly in patients with inadequate nutrition.
With over 90% of adults in the US having experienced a cavity and 50% dealing with periodontal disease, it is more important than ever to maintain a diet that promotes healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Wytko and the TKO Dentistry team are here to offer personalized guidance to help you maintain a disease-free, confident smile.
Healthy Dietary Habits for Long-Term Healthy Smiles
Here is a look at some choices that promote healthy smiles:
- Maintain a Balanced, Nutritious Diet: Make sure you vary your diet by including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products. A healthy, balanced diet is essential for providing your teeth and gums with the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water keeps your mouth moist, helps flush away food particles and plaque, and boosts saliva production—your mouth’s natural defense against tooth decay.
- Include Calcium and Phosphorus-Rich Foods: Calcium and phosphorus are essential minerals that help protect and strengthen your tooth enamel, safeguarding your smile. Foods rich in these minerals include leafy greens, dairy products, eggs, fish, and almonds, so make sure to include them in your diet.
- Opt for Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables: If you’re craving a snack, turn away from candies or cupcakes. Instead, consider reaching for a fresh pear, apple, or celery stick. Crunchy fruits and veggies act like nature’s toothbrushes, gently scraping away plaque and food debris from your teeth and gum line, which helps lower your risk of dental disease.
Foods and Beverages to Limit
The following are foods and beverages to limit or steer clear of altogether:
- Sugary Foods and Drinks: Harmful oral bacteria tend to feast on sugars in sweet foods and beverages, producing acids that attack and erode the tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Candies, cupcakes, and sodas aren’t the only culprits. Even fruit juices and cough drops can be high in sugar, putting your smile at risk.
- Acidic Foods and Beverages: Consuming acidic foods and drinks, such as citrus fruits, pickles, and sodas, can erode or wear away your tooth enamel, increasing your risk of decay and tooth sensitivity. If you indulge in an acidic treat, make sure you rinse your mouth with water to help neutralize the acids.
- Starchy or Sticky Foods: Starchy or sticky foods tend to linger in the pits or crevices of your teeth, elevating your risk of cavities. Aside from being sticky, starchy foods like white bread can break down into sugars, providing harmful bacteria with an ample food supply to flourish. Even dried fruit can be sticky and sugary, elevating the risk of dental disease.
- Hard Foods or Candies: Chewing on hard candies or ice, or using your teeth as tools, can increase the risk of tooth chips, fractures, or damaged dental restorations. Hard foods are considered one of the leading causes of dental emergencies and severe tooth pain.
Preventive Dental Care Near Me in North Scottsdale, AZ
At TKO Dentistry, we believe in the power of prevention. Dr. Wytko and her compassionate team are committed to providing personalized guidance and preventive care tailored to your unique needs—helping you achieve and maintain a healthy smile for life.
Ready to take the next step toward better oral health? Call us at (480) 896-7888 to schedule an appointment or follow this link to request one today! We look forward to helping care for all your family’s dental needs.
