Eating to Keep Cavities Away

Good brushing habits, regular flossing, and visits to the dentist can all help reduce your risk of cavities, but there is one more thing you can do to keep your mouth healthy: Eat a healthy diet.

What to Eat

Certain vitamins and minerals are essential to healthy teeth. Calcium is essential to building both strong teeth and bones. Many people know that calcium is continually lost from the bones, but it is also lost from teeth. Eating a diet rich in this mineral in the form of non-fat milk, yogurt, calcium-fortified OJ, and dark leafy veggies can help keep your teeth (and bones!) strong for life.

Vitamin D works in tandem with calcium, encouraging the teeth to hang on to the calcium you eat. While most dairy products are fortified with vitamin D, you can also make your own vitamin D every time you enjoy the sun. Vitamin C is also important for strong teeth, strengthening your gums’ health.

Fluoride is the final nutrient that helps keep teeth strong and resilient against cavities. This mineral makes enamel hard and is often added to public drinking water supplies, but those who are at risk for cavities may need additional supplementation. Talk to our Los Angeles dentist if you feel you may be one of them.

What Not to Eat

Of course, while certain foods can benefit your teeth, others can help provide nourishment to the bacteria that cause cavities. Sugars, starches, and complex carbohydrates are all common offenders. Sweet, sticky, and starchy foods stick to the teeth and can be hard for saliva or rinsing alone to wash away. They provide energy for the bacteria, and cavities are the end result.

If you are concerned about cavities, eat a healthy diet, brush after every meal, floss regularly, and visit our Los Angeles cosmetic dentist for regular checkups and cleanings to maintain your mouth’s health.

Source: Los Angeles Dentist

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