Food & Cleaning Tips For Great Oral Health

Excerpt: Food will always have the biggest controllable impact on your teeth if you constantly buy foods that are not good for your teeth...

Posted on: January 17, 2022

Dental Health Fast Facts

You can’t avoid all cavities or dental health issues. But avoiding as many as possible is always preferable.
Brushing too much and/or too hard can actually result in more issues, be careful not to overdo it.
Even with a solid routine the dentist can still help you clean spots you may have missed.

Food will always have the biggest controllable impact on your teeth, if you constantly buy foods that are not good for your teeth, it shouldn’t be surprising if your teeth start to show signs of decay and poor care. However, you can greatly mitigate & potentially avoid the negative impacts of food entirely, your teeth aren’t weak, so they can take abuse, but it’s a good idea not to test their limits.

What foods are good for your teeth?

As usual in the health world, less added sugar is better (none would be best, but that is fairly unreasonable for most people). Low sugar isn’t the only thing that you should be on the look out for though.

The best food attributes for dental health include:

Low in sugar (ideally added and natural sugars)
Non-sticky foods
Not difficult to chew
High in minerals and vitamins
Foods that don’t easily get stuck between your teeth

Your teeth are important!

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Cacao Nibs

Chocolate is generally unhealthy for you since the final product is processed, refined, and has lots sugar added to it. However, pure raw cacao is actually very healthy for you. This superfood tastes very different than what you would be use to when you buy a standard chocolate bar. The nibs are fairly bitter since there’s virtually no sweetness in the original product, although, once you’ve acquired the taste for them they can be a great snack. Just be aware of the caloric density in them.

This 2009 food study confirms the anti-cariogenic (tending to prevent tooth decay) benefits of polyphenols (micronutrients) from the consumption of cocoa plants. If you can’t find cacao nibs, which are generally available at health food stores, try getting near 100% dark chocolate. As the dark chocolate gets lighter, more milk and sugar is added to it.

Grass-fed dairy

More dairy products is usually better for your teeth due to the minerals and vitamins in dairy (assuming you’re not lactose intolerant). Grass-fed dairy, if it’s in the budget, is the best for your teeth due to high amounts of vitamin k2, this is a very important vitamin for healthy teeth.

If the grass-fed products are not in the budget, a multivitamin may be a more convenient option. Solid pill multivitamins are generally recommended instead of gummies due to greater consistency in dosages.

Fatty Fish

Fish is a great source of vitamins and minerals which are essential for your dental health, and general health. Vitamin D is one of the main reasons fatty fish, or fish oil, are so healthy. It’s a key vitamin that humans often do not get enough of, especially if you live in colder climates. Vitamin d plays a key role in dental health, and even your immune system. If you’re lacking vitamin d and you get a bacterial infection in your mouth, your chances of fighting it off will be compromised.

Omega 3 is also an important fat that is helpful in maintaining the health of your gums. Fatty fish is well known for being a good source of omega 3, so consuming more fatty fish, or fish oil, can have positive impacts to your dental health.

Ultimate Oral Routine For Healthy Teeth

Having consistent dental hygiene is just as, if not more important, than having a healthy diet for your teeth. An above-average routine looks something like this:

Brushing – 3-5 minutes covering all sections of your mouth (also include gums and tongue).
Flossing – 3-5 minutes in total. Make sure you get every tooth, pay special attention to your molars.
Mouthwash – 30-60 seconds swishing between your teeth.
Routine checkups – 2 times a year.

If you do this routine 2-3 times a day (2 is probably enough for most people), then you’ll stand a greater chance of avoiding many dental health threats.

Summary

Having a great oral health routine does not guarantee great dental health, but it will definitely have a positive impact. Your diet will also not only affect your dental health but your physical and mental health as well. If you do heat healthier you will most likely notice positive impacts elsewhere. If you’re trying to lose weight, or gain muscle, it’s generally preferred to do so with real healthy food. It will also probably save you money if you’re prone to eating at fast food places since you may have to start cooking your own food (your wallet will thank you).

Frequently asked questions

If I have no dental issues at all do I still need checkups?

Dental issues are not always obvious to the one experiencing them. If you’re no careful, lack of prevention may result in a much more serious issue with little warning.

Why are sugary foods bad?

Sugary foods produce more enamel-damaging acid that is naturally occurring in your mouth.

Why do I need to brush my gums and tongue?

Bacteria and food particles can get in places other than your teeth. If you have never brushed your gums or teeth before, you may be able to improve your breath as well.