4 Nutrition Tips for a Healthy Mouth

As well as eating less sugar, there are a number of other dietary changes you can make to help improve your oral hygiene. There is ongoing research that suggests that antioxidants and other nutrients can bolster your immune system, which can help protect your teeth and gums from infection and inflammation.

Here are some of the best nutrients and tips to help keep your mouth healthy:

Vitamin C

Recent studies suggest vitamin C can help protect gums and other tissue from cell damage and bacterial infection. The body also uses vitamin C to produce of collagen, which helps maintain strength and integrity in your gums.

Foods that are rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, capsicums, kiwifruit, broccoli, berries, tomatoes, peas, and papayas. Bear in mind, however, that many fruits and berries are also acidic and contain sugar, which can cause tooth decay if eaten excessively.

Eat Your Greens

Green leafy vegetables are rich in calcium and other minerals, which can assist in growing healthy teeth and bones, as well as help protect against gum disease.

Dark leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach, as well as peas and asparagus, also contain folic acid, which can help promote a healthy mouth by supporting cell growth and repair throughout the body.

Get Hydrated

Water can help to produce saliva, which is one of the body’s best defences against tooth decay. Saliva contains proteins and minerals that can help counteract enamel-eating acids, and can also help flush out food partials from your mouth.

Drinking unsweetened tea can also help as tea contains polyphenol, which research suggests can hinder the growth of bacteria associated with gum disease and tooth decay.

Limit Your Snacks

Eating a square meal generally does less damage to your teeth compared to regular snacking. The body produces more saliva when eating a large meal, which can help to wash food particles out of your mouth and lessens the effects of acid on your teeth.

When you do eat snacks, try to choose healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables over sweets with a high sugar content.

While dietary changes can help strengthen your teeth, it is also important to brush and floss your teeth every day and make regular checkups with your dentist, as this is the best defence against tooth decay and gum disease. If you would like to book a consultation, please contact us.