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It’s a little-known fact that what you eat can have an impact on your smile. While that piece of pie may look tempting, its contents can not only affect your waistline, but it can also lead to tooth decay. However, if you choose, instead, to eat a handful of blueberries, you may find that your smile is less likely to be negatively impacted. If you want to learn more about how the foods you eat can play a role in your oral health, let a dentist in Camp Hill, PA, explain.

Food and Your Oral Health: What You Should Know

You’ve probably heard your dentist say, “Avoid eating too much sugar because it will rot your teeth.” While this is beneficial for young children to discourage poor eating habits, the same can be said for adults who pay no mind to their diet.

Eating too many sugary or starchy foods can take a healthy, beautiful smile and turn it into one that is filled with decay and cavities. This is because it becomes a breeding ground for bad bacteria (plaque), attacking the tooth enamel and creating caries (cavities). As a result, these small holes must be filled or covered by a dental crown depending on the severity of the tooth decay.

If you’re unsure how to avoid consuming an overabundance of sugar in your diet, these few tips might help:

• Read the nutrition labels on the products you buy at the grocery store
• Seek the help of a nutritionist, physician, or your dentist, who can provide valuable insight into proper foods you should be eating and avoiding
• Drink more water and less carbonated, sugary drinks (i.e. coffee, soda, tea, sports drinks, fruit juices)

Healthy Alternatives That Positively Impact Your Smile

It’s not always easy transitioning to a healthier, more well-balanced diet, but it’s not impossible. People do it every day and find there is a noticeable difference in the way they look and feel. When considering which types of food you should incorporate into your diet, consider the following, as they are known for strengthening teeth and protecting against gum disease:

• Whole grains
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Lean meats
• Low-fat and Fat-free dairy

Foods that contain lots of calcium are designed to build bone strength, including your tooth enamel. From dark leafy greens and salmon to milk, cheese, and almonds, your teeth will become more durable over time.

If you want more variety, try eggs, fish, lean meat, and other nuts, as they not only prevent tooth decay, but they can also protect against gum disease. But don’t forget about your potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, and citrus fruits. These contain lots of Vitamin-C, which is ideal to improve your gum health.

Commit today to make good choices when it comes to food, and watch how your body, brain, and mouth improve over time. After a few weeks of healthier eating, you’ll be carrying around a smile you’re proud to show off.

About the Author
Combining preventive services with tips to help patients maintain good oral health at home, Dr. Rina Singh knows what can help or hinder a smile. Graduating from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, she went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine. Her extensive knowledge, training, and skill set enables her to treat all types of dental problems while offering patients valuable insight on how to improve the health of their teeth and gums. To learn more, contact us at (717) 937-8180 or visit our website.