Many of us love to eat, but we worry about our overall health. Your weight, blood pressure, heart health, etc., are certainly valid concerns. But don’t forget about your teeth and gums. Dental health is highly susceptible to poor diet choices. Furthermore, oral-systemic health dictates that when you have an overall health breakdown, it sometimes starts with bacteria in your mouth. To arm yourself with knowledge on making some of the wisest dietary choices for yourself, Des Moines dentist, Dr. Steve Burds has some tips.

Diet Tips for Healthy Teeth

Beware of Sugar: Okay, this is probably an obvious tip. You’ve surely heard from your dentist since you were a child that sugar should be avoided, and that you should brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent plaque buildup. It’s advice that should continue to be followed no matter how old you are. Fortunately, many people lose their sweet tooth as they get older. Still, consider substituting sugary snacks with fruits or vegetables. When you do indulge, drinking plenty of water can rinse the mouth of some sugary deposits, chew sugar-free gum with xylitol, and brush and floss when you can.

Save the Tannin for the Beach: Tannins are found in coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries. Regular dental cleanings can remove some of the dark deposits from teeth stained by tannins. You may also consider teeth whitening to brighten your smile and take years off of your appearance.

Fermentable Carbohydrates Equals Sucrose: Refined carbs are just the same as sugar as far as your teeth are concerned. Fortunately, you can stabilize the acidity of the fermentation by eating carbohydrates with a balanced meal which includes dairy. Remember to clean your smile of any sticky, carb heavy food debris following a binge. Flossing and brushing twice daily will lower the risk of further fermentation from carbohydrate consumption.

pH Balance is for More than Hair and Skin: Eating a diet of low pH level foods balances the acidity levels in your mouth, protecting your teeth. Milk, cheese, asparagus, kale, and melons are all known to be acid neutralizing.

Visit your Des Moines Dentist

You can contact our 50309 dental office by calling (515) 244-9565. Located in the 50309 area, we proudly welcome patients from Des Moines, River Bend, Kirkwood Glen, East Village, and neighboring communities.