Supplying your smile with the healthy building blocks it needs to thrive can help you create the smile of your dreams. Coupled with an excellent daily oral hygiene routine, a tooth-friendly diet will ensure healthier teeth (and gums). At Buckland Hills Dental, we recommend focusing on a nutrient-rich diet for our patients in Manchester, Connecticut, to ensure better oral health.

First, what foods should you avoid? Keep in mind that acids derived from snacking on sugary, starchy foods tend to damage teeth the longer they are left on them. And most folks just don’t brush after snacking. These foods include pies, cakes, cookies, candies, dried fruits like raisins, sugary chewing gum, and starches such as chips, pretzels, and crackers. Limit these kinds of foods or eat them with meals, whenever possible.

To support your teeth and gum health, aim to consume the following:

• Foods high in calcium like milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, and kale.
• Foods high in phosphorous like meat, milk, and fortified cereals.
• Foods high in vitamin D like salmon, tuna, eggs, mushrooms, fortified milk and orange juice.
• Foods high in protein like red meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk, yogurt, quinoa, soy products, sprouts, peas, broccoli, kale, and spinach.

The efforts you put into a healthy diet will benefit your body as well as your smile. Combined with good oral hygiene, you will be helping to build a lasting foundation for healthy teeth and gums. Be sure to brush at least twice a day and floss daily to support your oral health. And finally, complement your daily efforts with bi-annual professional dental cleanings.

To schedule your next dental cleaning and exam in Manchester, Connecticut, please call (860) 644-0099 today. Dr. Chi and our entire team look forward to helping you create a smile that will beam with confidence!