Choosing The Right Foods For Dental Patients

Written By Paisley Hansen / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is about more than just proper brushing and flossing. Everyday lifestyle choices can have a significant impact on your oral health, regardless of how often you clean your teeth.

Choosing a healthy diet and eating the right foods is especially important, as the right nutrients can help strengthen your teeth and fight inflammation. However, some foods can be harmful, especially when consumed in large amounts or on a regular basis. Many dentists recommend specific foods based on a patient's unique situation.

For General Oral Health

Many natural foods are good for your teeth and gums, but a few are especially beneficial for good oral health. Dairy products are rich in calcium and phosphorus, some of the main building blocks of tooth structure. Lean meats and dark leafy greens are also rich in these essential nutrients and can help strengthen your teeth and bones.

When it comes to keeping your gums healthy, minimizing inflammation is key. Foods that are high in antioxidants, such as berries, garlic, kale, and dark chocolate, are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

For Patients With Tooth Sensitivities

Dealing with sensitive teeth is a relatively common issue, which is why it's such a popular topic in dental SEO articles across the internet. A study by the Journal of the American Dental Association showed that as many as 12 percent of adults have teeth sensitivities that are unrelated to other issues.

This doesn't include sensitivity caused by recent dental work or other treatments.

Regardless of the cause, tooth sensitivities can be made worse by certain dietary choices, specifically eating foods and beverages that are:

• Very hot
• Very cold
• Sugary
• Sour
• Acidic

Dentists recommend keeping the temperature lukewarm and limiting sugars and acids to reduce discomfort. In addition, it can be very helpful to switch to a desensitizing toothpaste.

For Post-Whitening Treatment Care

Having your teeth whitened is a great way to improve your smile, but you could ruin the results quickly by eating the wrong foods. Most dentists recommend a white or clear food diet for at least 48 hours after treatment while the enamel is still more prone to new stains.

In general, if you want to keep your teeth looking white and bright, avoid coffee, red wine, artificial food dyes, and tobacco use.

For People Prone to Tooth Decay

For some dental patients, genetics just isn't on their side when it comes to tooth decay. Even with great brushing habits and good routine care, you could still be more prone to cavities than others. For these patients, dentists recommend seriously controlling their sugar intake.

Sugary drinks can be especially harmful, along with sticky candy, gummies, and treats. If you really want something sweet, many dental professionals recommend a milk chocolate bar over most other options; this is more easily broken down and removed by your saliva.

For Recovering From Dental Work

If you've had a recent dental procedure, you may be dealing with pain and swelling for a few days. It's a good idea to stick with a soft food diet for the first few days of recovery. Try to choose options that still have some nutritional value and a decent amount of protein. Some healthy options include:

• Greek yogurt
• Fruit and vegetable smoothies
• Scrambled eggs
• Oatmeal
• Soups

After the initial recovery period, you should be able to gradually reintroduce other foods back into your diet. Some dental work may be prone to damage, so your dentist may recommend avoiding foods that are extremely hard, tough, crunchy, or chewy; these choices could lead to chips and breaks or could loosen the bond, resulting in more dental work.

It is important to talk to your dentist about any dietary concerns or questions you may have. They can make recommendations based on your unique situation. Choosing the right foods can help you enjoy a healthier mouth while experiencing less pain and discomfort, especially after a dental procedure.

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Written By:

Paisley Hansen is a freelance writer and expert in health, fitness, and growing young. When she isn’t writing she can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym. She loves hearing from readers so feel free to contact her through Facebook.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.