Our main specialty at Melbourne Orthodontics (an orthodontic practice in Melbourne, Florida) is giving you treatment options to achieve a more perfect smile. That includes braces, Invisalign, and other appliances for specific types of bites and bone structure problems. Of course, we do also care about your overall oral health.

You obviously know that brushing and flossing your teeth and cleaning your tongue is important to get rid of bad bacteria, food debris, and dead skin cells that accumulate in your mouth each day. Ideally, you want to have sparkling clean teeth and the freshest breath possible. Did you know that there are some foods you can eat for improved oral health? It’s true, what your diet consists of each day is almost as important as the way you care for your teeth and gums. Let’s look at what you can do to improve your diet for the best oral health possible.

Problems With Oral Health From an Unhealthy Diet

There are many problems that can happen with your mouth when you have unhealthy dietary practices. You can end up with a mouthful of cavities and you will need to get them filled by a dentist. Another problem that can happen is associated with your gums. Periodontal or gum disease is an issue that can affect the overall health of your body, including your heart and cardiovascular system. That’s one reason it’s so important to consume foods and drinks that are going to maintain strong teeth and promote healthy gum tissue.

Foods to Eat for Better Oral Health

There are a variety of foods and drinks that you can add to your diet for improved oral health. Some of those include eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. The vitamins and minerals you get from whole foods that contain a rainbow of colors is going to go a long way in helping to improve your oral health. Even something as simple as ending your meal with an apple can help to dislodge other food particles from your teeth and gums. It’s great to crunch on fruits and vegetables that have all the right nutrients to strengthen blood vessels and improve the health of the connective tissues in your mouth.

Speaking of strong teeth, you can promote strong tooth enamel by consuming dairy products. Foods that are dairy-based, like milk, cheese, and yogurt, contain calcium and are high in vitamin K2, which goes a long way in promoting healthier teeth.

Additionally, certain types of fish, like salmon, are amazing for oral health. They contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, which helps prevent teeth from decaying. Thus, more fatty fish on your plate can equal fewer cavities in the long run.

Watch Out for Unnecessary Sugars

Now here is a little tip on something you shouldn’t be eating a lot of…sugar. This tricky sweet substance is in most candy and packaged foods that we eat. Try to limit the consumption of excess sugar as much as possible. It’s hard when you want to reach for something sweet, but once you reduce the amount of sugar you are eating by making sugar-free or fruit-based substitutes, you’ll find that you don’t crave sugar as much. Your mouth and teeth will thank you for it.

It’s a good idea to skip sugary sodas and juices too. Find better alternatives, like sparkling water infused with real citrus or cucumber slices. This is a great substitute if you aren’t the biggest fan of plain water.

Water is vital for your oral health. Drinking water after every meal helps to wash away bad bacteria and excess food particles when you can’t brush. So drink up because consuming a good amount of water each day is vital for your overall health and wellness.

Melbourne Orthodontics is Here for Your Health

Even though our main focus, as an orthodontist in Melbourne, is orthodontic treatment including braces and Invisalign, we love to talk about oral health with our patients. If you have any questions, we’re more than happy to discuss some tips on how to improve this important part of your body with the best dietary practices for healthy teeth and gums. Contact us today!