Dentist in Chicago: Foods For Good Oral Health

If you want to know how to optimize your oral health, start with your diet! Some foods are worse for your teeth than others and can lead to cavities and gum disease. To maintain good dental health, eat foods low in sugar and carbohydrates – sugar contributes to tooth decay and can damage your teeth. However, there are some other surprising tips to keep your teeth strong! Our dentist in Chicago explains more below.

General Tips

The best foods for your teeth are those that are in fiber and contain nutrients that benefit your mouth and gums. These include calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, candy, acidic foods, and high-carb foods.

Foods to Avoid

Some foods that should be limited or avoided include:

Soda, including diet soda, should be limited. In addition to the sugar content, sodas contain acid that can damage your teeth.
Dried fruit – since it lacks water, dried fruit can be just as bad as candy in leaving behind sugar that feeds decay-causing bacteria.
Beans and lentils – these are healthy food choices! However, they contain phytic acid that binds to nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and magnesium, making it harder for your teeth to absorb them. You can reduce phytic acid by soaking your beans and lentils overnight before cooking.

Dental Health-Promoting Foods

While we know what to avoid, keep in mind that some foods promote great oral health! Some of these include:

Dairy products are high in vitamin K2, which is essential for healthy teeth.
Fatty fish, like salmon, is high in vitamin D, which can help reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Leafy greens like spinach, kale, chard, and arugula are prebiotics that healthy oral bacteria feed on and promote a healthy mouth. Greens also leave your teeth feeling cleaner.

Contact Our Dentist in Chicago Today!

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to dentistry, feel free to contact Dente Complete Dentistry, with a convenient dental office in Chicago by calling 773.295.0562 or by clicking here.

World-Class Chicago, IL, Dentist, Dr. Emilio Couret for Exceptional Dental Care

“I’ve been seeing Dr. Couret for my dental needs for years–before he began his own office even. From Day 1–he was amazing. After years with no dental insurance, I needed a lot of work done, and was insanely anxious. Dr. Couret is an expert at putting you at ease and making you feel at home. And he seems to take the time needed to ensure his staff does the same. My teeth look amazing, and you will not find a more caring, comforting team in Chicago. They take the time to not just check your teeth, but to check of any issues that might arise, including cancers that other doctors may overlook. My husband and I are in the middle of planning a long-distance move, and I can’t even begin to think about finding a new dentist. Especially one that can live up to the standard Dr. Couret and his team have set.”

Ellie B.
Read More Reviews *The reviews are from actual patients of Dente Complete Dentistry. Individual results may vary.
Reviews are not claimed to represent results for everyone.

Dr. Emilio Couret, our 5-star-rated Chicago, IL, dentist has transformed the smiles of over 6,000 patients. Dente Complete Dentistry offers the most advanced dental care for children and adults. Our dental care and treatment options include teeth cleanings, Invisalign, dental sealants, dental bonding, dental crowns, dentures, root canals, TMJ, anxiety-free dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, fillings, dental bridges, dental implants, gum disease treatment and athletic mouth guards.

Call 773.292.1911 today to schedule your appointment with our Chicago, IL, dentist at our conveniently located Chicago dentist office. Come experience Dente Complete Dentistry and you will see we offer innovative and effective dental care in Chicago, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Bucktown & Logan Square, IL.