Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the best ways to ensure the health and longevity of your teeth. Some foods help your teeth grow strong and healthy, while others help support your immune system. The latter help your body defend against gum disease and infection. Other foods should be avoided to reduce the chance of tooth decay. Our dentist near Denver can help you determine the best balance of nutrition to ensure your oral health.

A Healthy Diet to Support Your Oral Health

The best diet to support oral health is basically the same kind of diet you would follow to support your health overall. Guidelines for a diet that will keep your teeth healthy include:

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Avoid sweet, sticky, and sugary foods
• Be sure to consume sufficient calcium and vitamin D

Fruits and vegetables provide important vitamins and other nutrients that help your immune system to work at its most efficient. Sweet, sticky, and sugary foods are major culprits in tooth decay. Calcium and vitamin D help maintain the strength of your teeth as well as the bones that support them.

Diet During Tooth Growth and Development

An adequate diet is particularly important during pregnancy and for babies and small children, as teeth are developing and growing during these times. Sufficient calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D and other nutrients ensure healthy development of both baby teeth and secondary teeth. Your dentist or your doctor can help you determine the best diet for yourself or your child during these important times.

It is also important to encourage a healthy diet for your children by encouraging healthy snacks and discouraging sugary treats that promote decay. Children who are taught from an early age to eat healthy foods are more likely to continue these habits as they grow older. Be sure to call 303.832.7789 to ask our dentist about the type of diet that will help you and your family maintain the best possible oral health.