A good diet for healthy teeth goes way beyond your mother’s warnings to limit sweets when you were a kid. While it may be a no-brainer that candy is bad for you, do you know the other foods that you should avoid and limit for a healthier mouth? And more importantly, do you know what foods you should be stocking up on to ensure better oral health? It is true that good dental hygiene begins with brushing at least twice a day and flossing regularly. But diet can also play an important role in a healthy, more beautiful smile.

The “Don’t” List

Yes, candy is at the top of the list for most dentists, but some types of candy are actually worse than others. Sucking on hard candies or chewing on sticky concoctions all afternoon may be the worst thing that you can do for you teeth.  The sugar from these items will stay on your teeth long enough to do damage because the candy remains in your mouth for a longer period of time. If you must satisfy your sugar craving, opt for foods that will be chewed up a swallowed immediately. Follow up your indulgence with a piece of cheese or a stick of sugar-free gum. The cheese will offer a calcium boost when your teeth need it most and the gum can increase the saliva in your mouth to neutralize the acid that is left behind from the sweet food you ate.

Another big no-no is sugar-filled beverages like soda, powder drinks and fruit juices. Yes, you heard correctly – fruit juice may be very good for your body for a number of reasons, but the sugar content in most juices is not going to make your smile any healthier. Other popular beverages like coffee and tea can stain your teeth and tarnish your smile. Better beverage choices are plain water and milk, which is filled with the calcium that teeth love. While you are busy telling your kids to drink their milk, enjoy a big glass yourself. No one is too old to reap the benefits of calcium.

The “Do” List

We have already touched on the importance of calcium in your healthy teeth diet, but what other foods can contribute to your beautiful smile? Foods that are rich in antioxidants may strengthen teeth by keeping gums healthy. Vitamin C, coenzyme Q10 and flavanoids are all good substances for a healthier smile because they protect the gums from damage and promote a healthier flow of blood to the capillaries. A sufficient water intake is also important for good oral health, but did you really need another good reason to drink your eight glasses a day?

Your smile is an important asset. Take good care of it with the proper diet choices, and you will be rewarded with healthy teeth and a more beautiful grin. Say cheese when you flash those pearly whites.

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