Avoid These 4 Foods to Protect Your Gums

What you eat influences the health of your oral cavity, your gums and teeth. The famous saying that you are what you eat couldn’t be any truer, especially with respect to your teeth and gums. The prevalence of dental caries has been estimated to be about 45-53%. 

You can be treated for all your dental problems by Dr. Larry Leonakis at G. Larry Leonakis DDS, Carson City, Nevada. In this article, we will talk about the four main foods you should avoid for protecting your gums.

• Sugary Foods

Everything sweet like, chocolates, sticky candies, sweets, cakes, pastries, and pies must be avoided. All those candies that stick to your teeth like lollipops, caramels, and cough drops are a big no. 

• Starchy Foods

Starchy foods like soft bread, potato chips, tend to get stuck between your teeth. 

• Aerated Drinks

Aerated or carbonated drinks contain a lot of sugar. Sugar is harmful for your gum health as it gets stuck in your teeth and increases bacterial growth. These drinks also contain phosphoric acid and citric acid. These substances eat away your tooth enamel and make your gums weak.

• Foods That Leave Your Mouth Dry

There are certain foods or drinks that dry out your mouth and result in poor gum health. Alcohol and certain medicines tend to dry your mouth. You may require a fluoride rinse or a fluoride gel to brush your teeth and clean your mouth daily for better gum health.

How to Support Good Gum Health?

Here are a few tips to reduce the risk of tooth decay due to the food you eat.

• Eat your desserts and sugary foods with your meals. When you eat your regular meal, your mouth generates more saliva. This will help reduce the effect of acids being produced due to sugar and rinse the food in your mouth in a better way.
• Avoid munching in between meals. Snacking in between your meals can cause gum damage. If you are hungry or craving a snack, opt for a nutritious meal. Chew your food properly to increase your saliva and wash out the food and acid from your mouth.
• Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water. 
• Brush your teeth twice a day. 
• Floss your teeth every day.

Need more advice on how to eat mindfully for healthy teeth and gums? Book a consultation with Dr. Larry Leonakis by calling (775) 882-0635 or booking your appointment online. You can also visit us at 371 S Roop St, Carson City, Nevada 89701.