Prevent Gum Disease By Eating These Healthy Foods! [BLOG]

Our team at Charles F. Betts, Jr., DMD put your oral health at the top of our priority list.

That means doing what we can to inform you about best practices and habits to maintain at home between your routine dental appointments in our Decatur, IL dental office.

Today, we’re sharing some healthy eating suggestions so you can have a better chance of preventing gum disease and keeping your smile healthy!

The Sooner You Catch Gum Disease, The Better!

The best way to eradicate gum disease is by catching it early.

In its initial stage, also called gingivitis, gum disease may be impossible for you to detect simply by looking in the mirror.

In fact, you may not see or feel it developing in your mouth for years, and by that point, it’s already advanced. Then it’s a much tougher fight back to better oral health, and worse, to replace any teeth that may have been the target of this devastating infection.

This is why we want you to come in at least twice a year for dental cleanings and exams.

Dr. Betts and our trained hygienists have the tools to spot and remove hardened plaque from your teeth and gumline and keep gum disease from hurting you and your smile.

Healthy Foods That Encourage Healthier Gums

Along with your twice-daily brushing and daily flossing, you also have to consider other ways of preventing gum disease and other oral health threats.

That’s why nutrition is such an important component in the maintenance of a great smile.

In that spirit, here is a quick list at some of the best foods to snack on that will help strengthen your teeth, protect your gums, and encourage better oral health!

*APPLES*

Nature’s toothbrush is still at the top of the food chain of foods that help your smile the most.

Thanks to its crunchy, waxy textures, apples help scrub your mouth clean of sugary residue and food particles that stay lodged between your teeth, as well as encouraging plenty of saliva.

This is a winning combination, not only for your body, but for your teeth, gums, and oral health in general.

*RAW VEGGIES*

Cutting up celery and carrot sticks for easy midday snacking is an excellent way to fuel your body with bone-building (and teeth-strengthening!) nutrients.

The crunch of raw veggies encourages saliva flow that will add a layer of protection over your enamel. They contain a ton of water, which helps saliva flow, as well, and aids digestion.

And it also helps that celery breaks up into a type of natural dental floss in between daily cleanings.

*ALMONDS*

Almonds are one of the healthiest nuts to crunch on for a couple of reasons.

Not only does munching on them help keep your saliva production at a healthy level, but almonds are full of protein that strengthen your teeth.

*SUGARLESS CHEWING GUM*

We didn’t want to end today’s blog without offering a sweeter suggestion for healthy chewing!

Sugarless chewing gum is also great for your teeth and gums for its bacteria-fighting agents that decrease your chances for tooth decay and gum disease.

It also doesn’t hurt that sugarless gum is a great way to keep your breath minty fresh throughout the day!

Make An Appointment!

A healthy, nutritious diet is a key part in keeping your teeth strong and preventing gum disease.

Another important preventive measure is with regularly scheduled dental cleanings and exams with Dr. Betts in Decatur, AL!

He and our skilled team have what you need to catch the early signs and stages of gum disease and knocking it out before it knocks out your smile!

Keep your whole smile healthy by flossing, brushing, and visiting Charles F. Betts, Jr., DMD for your general dentistry needs. Call 256-274-8680 or fill out our handy online form.