Foods Good For Oral Health

Q: How much does diet affect dental health?



A: Your decisions about what you eat affect not only your dental health, but your overall health as well. So here are some things to consider when planning your meals. There are lots of products on the market designed to whiten teeth. In addition, there are some foods that will do it naturally. Apples, oranges, carrots, celery and high-fiber greens like broccoli, lettuce, and spinache contribute to teeth whiteness. That's because they require lots of chewing, which stimulates saliva production and inhibits stain-producing bacteria.



Fruits, vegetables, legumes - peas and beans - and nuts are good for general health and therefore good for your mouth. Milk and cheese are good sources of calcium, which helps keep bones strong and healthy. Studies have found that eating fresh cranberries interrupts the bonding of oral bacteria before they can form plaque. If you crave sugary or high carbohydrate food, it's better to eat them as part of a meal rather than alone. The saliva you produce while consuming a meal will help neutralize the acids those foods will generate before they can damage enamel. Talk with the Drs. Chips about good dietary choices.



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