To keep your teeth strong and your gums healthy takes more than just brushing your teeth and flossing. What you eat is also an important part of healthy teeth and gums. Eating the right nutrients in your diet is essential to support your gum tissue, strengthen your enamel, and decrease your risk for dental issues. Visiting a dental clinic in Red Deer will help you understand how diet treatments impact your oral health and offer tips and personal advice to keep your smile healthy.
Visiting a dentist near you, they can tell you what you should eat and what to avoid when it comes to supporting a balanced diet to support your gums as well as your teeth.
Why Diet Matters for Oral Health
Your teeth and gums need vitamins, minerals, and proper nutrition to keep strong and healthy; when you do not eat correctly, you can suffer from inflammation of the gums, erosion of the enamel, and tooth decay. In contrast, eating a balanced diet with certain nutrients will help to protect your oral health, decrease plaque, and support gum healing.
Best Foods for Healthy Gums
When you think about healthy gums, the best foods for healthy gums are those that help to reduce inflammation and support strong gum tissue. Kale is a top food option.
- Leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale, high in calcium and vitamin C.
- Berries like strawberries and blueberries are full of antioxidants.
- Fatty fish, such as salmon, contain omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation of the gums.
- Nuts such as almonds and walnuts are great sources of vitamin E and healthy fats.
These options can all help support gum health and overall oral hygiene.
Foods for Stronger Teeth
The strength of the tooth enamel is just as important as strong gums. Certain foods provide vitamins and minerals that your tooth needs in order to stay strong and avoid decay. For example:
- Dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and milk are rich in calcium and phosphate.
- Crunchy vegetables, such as carrots and celery, act as a natural way to help clean, as well as saliva stimulation.
- Green and black tea contain polyphenols to help fight bacteria.
- Protein and phosphorus can be found in eggs and lean meat to help strengthen enamel.
By incorporating these food options in your diet, you can expect that they will help support strong teeth while improving your overall diet.
Vitamins and Minerals for Teeth and Gums
In addition to whole foods, there are some specific vitamins and minerals to consider associated with oral health. The most significant products include:
- Calcium: for strong enamel and jawbone
- Vitamin D: for better absorption of calcium
- Vitamin C: for healthy gums and collagen
- Phosphorus: for protection and healthy enamel repair
As you pay close attention to your nutrients, feel confident that your teeth and gums will continue in strength and resilience.
Gum Health Nutrition Tips
Outside of eating foods that may support gum health, there are also other gum health nutrition tips for maximizing the benefits received from healthy gum foods. Try:
- Drinking enough water helps wash away food particles and promote saliva production
- Avoid foods that are sugary and acidic, which could be detrimental to your enamel and/or irritate your gums
- Chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva and help neutralize acids
- Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as sources of protein, to balance your diet.
When you match healthy habits around diet with daily brushing, flossing, and regular appointments, you take a holistic approach to oral health.
Combining Diet with Good Oral Care
No matter how healthy your diet may be, it does not replace your oral hygiene routine, which includes daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings to help manage plaque and reduce the risk of gum disease. When you pair your healthy diet with these habits and appropriate dental care, your outcomes will be best for both your teeth and gums.
Even healthy diets cannot replace proper oral hygiene habits, such as daily brushing and flossing! Additionally, attending your cleanings with your dentist or oral health professional is also important because they reduce the presence of bad bacteria and plaque and thus reduce the risks of gum disease.
Support Your Beautiful Smile with Good Habits
Diet and proper oral health directly compound on each other to achieve success in oral health. Small changes to your food selection and regularly scheduled appointments can greatly improve your oral health.
At Gaetz Dental, we work for our patients to utilize their clinically provided skill, have professional hygiene cleanings, and receive tailored guidance for patients to maintain as healthy of a smile as possible. Contact us today for cleanings—your journey to better teeth and gums!
