What To Eat For Healthy Teeth?
Oral health goes far beyond just brushing every day. One of the simplest and most efficient ways to maintain a healthy smile is by eating a healthy diet. There are lots of things you can do to keep your teeth healthy and strong, but don't forget about the power of simple, everyday foods to help your teeth stay clean and healthy.
How Does Food Impact My Teeth?
The foods you eat significantly impact your oral health. Eating too much sugar and starch feeds the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Bacteria and other materials form plaque, which is a thin, invisible film that covers the surfaces of all your teeth. When sugars or starch in your mouth come into contact with the bacteria in plaque, acids are formed. These harmful acids can attack your teeth after you finish eating. Repeated acid attacks can wear down the hard enamel covering the teeth. Bacteria in plaque trigger an inflammatory reaction. This causes the breakdown of the gums, bones, and other supporting structures in your teeth. This is how eating sugary foods and acidic foods can cause bad breath, cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems.
Conversely, eating healthy foods can help to keep your teeth healthy and strong. You should limit the amount of time your teeth are exposed to acidic foods and drinks. Avoiding acidic foods and beverages will prevent tooth erosion and reduce the risk of cavities.
You may know which foods are bad for your teeth, but do you know which foods are good for them? Since March is National Nutrition Month we have made a list of foods that protect your dental enamel and improve your dental health:
I could not be any more fortunate and grateful for Dr. George Orfaly accepting me recently as a new patient! I switched over from my previous provider in a nearby community after receiving subpar care and at risk of losing two teeth. He and the entire team at Fisher & Orfaly Dental have made my transition a smooth and comfortable one, setting me at ease and swiftly on the path to a promising prognosis! I also know that both Dr. Orfaly and Dr. Fisher care a great deal about the community beyond the walls of their practice, too, both quite supportive of local nonprofit and charitable efforts. This all makes me feel wonderful about being a patient, one of the best decisions I've ever made. You and your family should consider switching to Fisher & Orfaly!
Needed a new dentist in Salem, picked Dr. Orfaly by location. I met him before agreeing to my first appointment, and so far, have been very happy. I'm a curious sob, and credit Dr Orfaly for being patient with my atmospheric river of questions. He knows how to relate to patients, and seems to be on top of his game. Highly recommend.
Everything about my dental experience is professional and considerate.
Made you feel comfortable, right from the start. Definitely five stars found my new dentist!
I have been a patient of Fisher & Orfaly for many years now. But recently, my whole family moved to the practice. Their approach has always been kind, caring and practical.
I could not be any more fortunate and grateful for Dr. George Orfaly accepting me recently as a new patient! I switched over from my previous provider in a nearby community after receiving subpar care and at risk of losing two teeth. He and the entire team at Fisher & Orfaly Dental have made my transition a smooth and comfortable one, setting me at ease and swiftly on the path to a promising prognosis! I also know that both Dr. Orfaly and Dr. Fisher care a great deal about the community beyond the walls of their practice, too, both quite supportive of local nonprofit and charitable efforts. This all makes me feel wonderful about being a patient, one of the best decisions I've ever made. You and your family should consider switching to Fisher & Orfaly!
Needed a new dentist in Salem, picked Dr. Orfaly by location. I met him before agreeing to my first appointment, and so far, have been very happy. I'm a curious sob, and credit Dr Orfaly for being patient with my atmospheric river of questions. He knows how to relate to patients, and seems to be on top of his game. Highly recommend.
Everything about my dental experience is professional and considerate.
Made you feel comfortable, right from the start. Definitely five stars found my new dentist!
I have been a patient of Fisher & Orfaly for many years now. But recently, my whole family moved to the practice. Their approach has always been kind, caring and practical.
Calcium-Rich Foods:
If you want strong teeth, calcium is essential. It helps to prevent tooth decay and keeps your gums healthy. There are a variety of foods in this category, including calcium-fortified juices, milk, and other dairy products, that you can consume to promote healthy teeth and bone health.
Fruits & Vegetables:
Fresh fruits and raw vegetables are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that promote healthy teeth and are also good for your overall health. Some of these nutrients, such as Vitamin C and Vitamin A, are especially beneficial for your teeth. Vitamin C helps to keep your gums healthy by preventing inflammation and promoting healing. It also helps to protect your teeth from decay by increasing the production of saliva. Vitamin A is important for the development and maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. It helps to prevent gum disease and cavities, and can even reverse early signs of tooth decay.
Cheese:
Cheese is a good source of calcium, which is essential for strong teeth and bones. It also contains other nutrients that are beneficial for oral health, such as phosphorus and zinc. Phosphorus helps to restore minerals to the tooth enamel and protect it from decay. Zinc is important for the production of saliva, which helps to rinse away food and bacteria from your teeth. Chewing cheese also increases saliva production, which washes away food particles and bacteria in your mouth.
Apples:
You must have heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but it does more than that! It also helps you maintain healthy teeth. One of the benefits of apples is that they contain pectin. Pectin helps to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth, and it also helps to neutralize acids that can cause tooth decay. Apples are also a good source of Vitamin C, which, as mentioned above, helps to keep your gums and teeth healthy.
Green And Black Teas:
Green and black tea are beneficial for teeth because they contain polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants that fight plaque and protect your teeth from decay. They also help to reduce inflammation in the mouth.
Adding these foods to your diet can improve your oral health. Here are a few tips to help you maintain your oral health:
- Avoid snacking between meals. If you want a snack, choose something healthy like fresh fruits. You can also try chewing sugarless gum after a meal. Chewing sugarless gum after eating can help increase saliva flow and wash away food and acid.
- Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the entire day. Drinking fluoridated water, in particular, can help prevent cavities.
- Brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day to remove food particles and sugars from your teeth.
If you have specific questions about your diet and your dental health that you’re unsure about, don't hesitate to book an appointment and talk to Dr. George Orfaly, of Fisher & Orfaly Dental, Salem, MA. We want to help you improve your oral health in any way that we possibly can.
I was not a fan of going to the dentist! One might say afraid… but thanks to the amazing team at Fisher & Orfaly I am back on track with my 6 month cleanings. The team did an amazing job calming my fears and I can actually say I may even enjoy going to the dentist now! The team is professional, accommodating, and they do a fabulous job cleaning my teeth! I am so grateful that they have me back on track with great dental habits. They certainly have given me something to smile about.
Who likes to go to the dentist? Fear no more. Dr. Orfaly and his staff provide an environment of ease and professionalism that relieve the jitters that so many feel during visits to the dentist. Whether a routine check up or more complex procedure, our experiences have been most positive.
I am someone who has been terrified of the Dentist from a very young age, but after seeing Dr. Orfaly and his team over the past couple of months I have 100% gotten over my fears. I have never felt more comfortable and taken care of by the staff. Everyone is so nice and down to earth they make you feel welcome! Dr. Orfaly even came in on a day they were closed because I was having extreme tooth pain, and he totally fixed the problem, I will never forget that. I’m so happy I decided to go to Fischer & Orfaly, best decision I’ve ever made!
Dr Orfaly is the best dentist around! I have alot of anxiety around going to the dentist & Dr Orfaly always makes sure to check in to see how I'm doing & is so nice. If a referral is needed to a specialist, he makes the call for you & gets you an appt quickly (mine was even the same day) I love how they book you with the same dental hygienist for all cleanings.. Adds another level of comfort... Shoutout to mine, Kathy!! 😊
Before coming to Fisher & Orflay my daughter hated coming to the dentist, she now looks forward to her appointments fully knowing and understanding every procedure being done. They make her visits pleasant each and every time, providing excellent service with the help of their friendly and knowledgeable staff.
After many years of neglecting my my teeth due to fear of the dentist my dental issues got bad enough that I had no choice but to adress them. I randomly selected Fisher & Orfaly and am very glad that I did. Dr Orfaly did a great job while making sure I was as comfortable as possible.After completing the initial, extensive repairs my mouth looks and feels great. In the 10 years since I first visited I had had no new major work needed. Even better, I can walk into the office without that sense of dread that is familiar to so many people.
