What's the Best Diet to Keep my Teeth and Gums Healthy
Dr. Dassenko – January 2010

Since early childhood we are warned by parents and dentists about the dangers of eating the wrong kinds of things for our teeth, especially sweets. We are told to avoid sugary soft drinks, and are admonished against eating such things as rock candy, “atomic fireballs,” “lemonheads,” and other types of candy that are so hard they sometimes cause teeth to chip or break. We are told that chewing bubble gum is bad for our teeth, that lollipops should be avoided, and that we need to eat our spinach. But even though we ignore many of those early bits of advice, there is a lot of truth to the notion that diet has a strong correlation to dental health. Not only can biting down on a peach pit or piece of hard candy cause a crack or chip, but just neglecting to eat a balanced diet full of nutritious foods can ruin our teeth, cause cavities, and create diseased gums. The easy part to figuring out what we should eat – as opposed to what we should not eat – is that it is essentially the same diet that would be followed for any healthy diet. Lots of fresh green vegetables, a healthy dose of fresh fruits, whole grains, and other vitamin and mineral laden foods are the ticket – whether you want to get a healthy physique and lose unwanted pounds or you want to retain a sparkling smile and not lose any of your permanent teeth.

Of course sugar is the real enemy of healthy teeth because too much sugar not only deprives us of energy-giving and nutritious calories but it causes an acidic environment in the mouth that can etch the surface of the tooth’s enamel and lead to cavities and even serious problems like root canal procedures.  Beverages like sweetened soft drinks pack a double-whammy with sugar as well as high acid content which can erode the enamel and lead to tooth decay. Even natural fruit juices have high sugar content. So the best drink for your teeth is plain water. It’s readily available and has many benefits for your body as well as your teeth.
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But teeth and gums need many nutrients such as calcium, iron, zinc, Vitamin C, and B vitamins. Calcium is important especially when teeth are forming. We can get it from many sources: dark green vegetables like kale and broccoli, tofu, nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and sesame seeds, whole grains, and of course dairy products. Fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of Vitamin C and whole grains and meats contain B vitamins, iron, and zinc, all of which are important for healthy gums and teeth.

Of course each of us is different. Some people have illnesses or food allergies that restrict the kinds of foods they can eat. Others just have an aversion to certain foods, or follow a different kind of diet for religious reasons. That’s why the real answer to what is the best kind of diet to eat to ensure healthy teeth should be arrived at in consultation with your own dentist. Your dentist should be able to discuss your particular situation and help you develop a meal plan and a nutritious and affordable diet that will work for you, be convenient and appropriate, and will nourish your teeth and gums as well as the rest of your body.