Taking proper care of your oral health is important for your overall well-being. Protecting your gums is another important element of proper oral hygiene. Your diet plays a role in multiple aspects of your health, including the strength of your teeth and the sensitivity of your gums. Preventing dry mouth, limiting sugar, and visiting the dentist on a regular basis are all ways to protect your gums.
Avoiding certain foods is not the only way to make sure your oral health is strong. Regular oral cleanings and dental work are important to keep your tooth enamel and prevent jaw deterioration. Sunset Dental can provide these services and more to help patients in Utah keep their teeth intact. Our team offers preventative dental services, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative dentistry for clients in Sunset and surrounding areas.
1- Starches And Refined Carbohydrates
White bread, crackers, and pasta will break down to sugars when being chewed. These can be fuel for bacteria to overproduce in your mouth and cause cavities or tongue problems. Eating whole grains can help your mouth to produce more saliva which can naturally cleanse your mouth of excess bacteria.
2- Tomatoes
Acidic foods or drinks can cause damage to your enamel and irritate your gums. Tomatoes are just one example of acidic foods that can weaken your gums and make people more susceptible to gum disease. By limiting your consumption of acidic foods and drinks (like soda, or citrus) can keep your teeth healthier for longer. You can also rinse your mouth with water after consuming these products to limit their effect.
3- Sticky Of Chewy Foods
Dried fruits, gummy candies, or caramels can get stuck in the small cracks between your teeth. If these particles are not removed promptly by flossing, they can cause irritation to the gums. This is also a place for bacteria to thrive which can cause gum disease, cavities, and more. Limiting these foods or flossing directly after you eat something sticky is the best way to protect your gums.
4- Alcohol
Those who consume excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to dehydration. This can damage your gums because your saliva production is reduced when you are dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water in addition to alcohol can help keep your mouth wet and your body hydrated. A dry mouth is always a breeding ground for bacteria and infections which can spread to your gums.
5- Excessive Red Meat
A moderate amount of red meat can be a part of a balanced diet, but excessive red meat contains a lot of saturated fats. These are a good thing to have you your diet, but an excess can cause inflammation in the gums and lead to gum disease. When determining your diet it is important to find a balance of all different foods, so that one fat or mineral is not dominating the others.
6- Coffee And Tea
You have probably heard that coffee and tea can stain your teeth and wear down your enamel, but did you know that it can also cause dry mouth? A dry mouth means that you have limited saliva production, which helps to remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth. Drinking coffee and tea can limit your saliva which makes your gums more vulnerable to infection. Protect your gums by limiting the amount of coffee you drink and by also drinking plenty of water each day.
7- Sugary Snacks
Similar to acidic or sugary drinks, foods with high sugar content can also damage your gums. This not only means candy, but fruit with high natural sugars can be damaging over time. Processed foods with lots of salt and sugar can cause inflammation and calcium deposits on your gums. These can turn into cavities or gum disease. It is important to drink lots of water and eat other foods in addition to these snacks if you want to avoid gum issues
Protect Your Gums With Sunset Dental
Combining a balanced diet with proper brushing and frequent dental visits is the way to healthy gums. Our dental team at Sunset Dental is here to help you maintain your perfect smile for many years. With dental cleanings, root canals, teeth extraction, veneers, and more, we have all the tools to keep you healthy and smiling bright.