The things you eat affect your mouth but not only by helping prevent decay and gum disease, but also by building healthier teeth and gums. Learning what foods to eat, beverages to drink and what to food to avoid can help maintain your overall oral hygiene.

Calcium

When a diet is low in calcium, the body grabs the mineral from teeth and bones, which can increase your risk of tooth decay. Your jawbone is very susceptible to the effects of a low calcium diet. It will weaken due to low calcium intake, which causes the teeth to loosen, in turn leaving you at greater risk for gum disease. Calcium is found in diary foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt; in fish, and in some vegetables, including broccoli and kale. Eating 2-4 servings a day will help you maintain a healthy calcium level.

Vitamin C

Your body needs vitamin C to repair tissue and fight off infection. Studies show that individuals who consume 75-90mg per day were more likely to have gum disease (gingivitis) than those who eat three times the daily allowance. Eating one piece of a citrus fruit daily ex; grapefruits, tangerines, oranges, kiwi will help you maintain the recommended daily allowance for vitamin C.

Fruits and Vegetables

Eating crunchy fruit and vegetables like carrots, celery, pears or apples do wonders for your teeth in two ways. The texture serves as a detergent on the teeth and wipes away the bacteria that cause plaque. Also these foods require a lot of chewing which enhances the production of bacteria neutralizing saliva.

Tea

As everyone knows tea may cause stain to adhere to your teeth, studies show that black tea can destroy or suppress cavity causing bacteria in dental plaque, which in turn helps prevent both cavities and gum disease.

Water

Consuming plenty of water helps rinse away bacteria and the remnants of food which can turn into plaque. Tap water is a better choice for teeth than bottled water because it contains fluoride which helps prevent decay.

Foods to Avoid

Snacks full of sugar, gummy candy and hard candies that stick into your teeth are foods to avoid if you want to maintain a healthy mouth. Regular soda is a double whammy to your teeth, it combines sugar and acids. Foods good for your teeth like milk also contain sugar. So no matter what you consume whether beverage or food it is important to brush or floss afterwards- or at least rinse with water.

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