Brushing and flossing your teeth and visiting your dentist are important aspects of dental care, as they clear your mouth of plaque buildup. However, you must also be careful about what is put into your mouth. Here's what you should know about the role your diet plays in your oral health and how to improve it.

Which Foods Negatively Affect Your Oral Health?

Oral bacteria that form plaque and cause tooth decay feed on sugar. A diet high in sugar or carbohydrates fuels the bacteria to produce more acid that wears down teeth, forms cavities, and causes gum disease. Sugar and carbs are especially prevalent in candies, pastries, dried fruits, and starchy foods, like bread.

But acid doesn't just come from bacteria. You can also find it in sodas, wines, vinegars, and citric fruits. In large quantities, these acids can erode enamel, the hard mineral coating that protects teeth from plaque and breakage. Without the enamel, your teeth are softer and more vulnerable to damage and decay.

What Should You Eat for a Teeth-Friendly Diet?

Many foods are beneficial for dental care and your oral health. For example, fiber is a natural cleaner, while calcium, fluoride, and vitamin D strengthen the minerals in your teeth. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that keeps your immune system robust enough to fight tooth decay and gum infections. It also fortifies the blood and tissue connecting your teeth to your jaw bone. 

Focus on foods that contain these nutrients, like leafy green vegetables, lean meats, eggs, beans, berries, apples, avocados, and dairy products. Citric fruits, like oranges, pineapples, lemons, and limes, are also rich in vitamin C, so eat them in moderation to get the benefits without the downsides.

Good dental care depends on a balanced, healthy diet. Minimize your intake of foods and drinks high in sugar, carbs, or acid. If you do consume them, wash them down with milk or water, which supply your mouth with nutrients and moisture in addition to washing away bacteria and food debris.

To support your healthy diet with high-quality dental care, head to Four Corners Dental Group in Anchorage, AK. Boasting state-of-the-art facilities and innovative treatments like fluoride applications and laser dentistry, they're committed to providing reliable and personalized family dentistry services. Make an appointment today by calling (907) 258-3384 or messaging them online.