Patient Forms 
What you eat makes a big impact on the health of your teeth and gums. Of course practicing good dental hygiene and visiting the dentist regularly are very important, but choosing the foods you consume plays a role too. There are some foods that are actually good for your teeth, and others that you should avoid.
What are some tooth-friendly foods?
- Milk – The calcium in milk promotes healthy bones and teeth. Even though it contains lactose, this type of sugar is the least damaging to your oral health. Also, milk consumed along with other foods actually helps protect teeth from harm. However, milk should not be given to children at bedtime because it can damage teeth if allowed to linger there.
- Cheese – Another good source of calcium, cheese is beneficial to your oral health. It also decreases the acid levels in the mouth, and some cheeses even provide probiotic benefits.
- Crunchy fruits and vegetables – Crunchy foods stimulate saliva production, which helps protect teeth from acid exposure. The crunchiness also acts as an abrasive to clean teeth. Fruits contain sugar, so good dental hygiene is necessary after eating.
- Yogurt – Bacteria creates an unhealthy mouth environment, so consider eating yogurt containing probiotics and proteins. It can help decrease the harmful bacteria in your mouth by replacing it with healthier, protective bacteria.
- Shiitake mushrooms – These mushrooms have shown to promote good oral health by remineralizing teeth and decreasing harmful acids.
What are some foods to avoid?
- Sodas – The acidity levels in sodas are very high, so these drinks can erode tooth enamel and make teeth more susceptible to breaking. They also make teeth more porous, which means teeth stain more easily.
- Citrus – Lemons, oranges, and other citrus fruits can actually suck minerals out of your teeth. Brush and floss carefully after eating citrus items.
- Cereal – Known to stick between your teeth and leave remnants that are hard to get rid of, cereals can cause damage when particles are left behind to allow sugars and acids to eat away at your teeth.
