It has long been known that good nutrition and a well-balanced diet are among the best defenses for oral health. Providing your body with the right amounts of vitamins and minerals helps your teeth and gums—as well as your immune system—stay strong and ward off infection, decay, and disease.

Eating foods high in sugar and carbohydrates can leave harmful acids and bacteria in your mouth. These include carbonated beverages, some kinds of fruit juices, and many kinds of starch foods like pasta, bread, and cereal.

Children's Nutrition and Teeth

Good eating habits that begin in early childhood can help ensure a lifetime of good oral health.

Children should eat foods rich in calcium and other minerals, as well as a healthy balance of the essential food groups like vegetables, fruits, dairy products, poultry, and meat. Fluoride supplements may be helpful if you live in a community without fluoridated water but consult with our office first. (Be aware that sugars are even found in some kinds of condiments, fruits, and even milk.)

Allowing your children to eat excessive amounts of junk food (starches and sugars)—including potato chips, cookies, crackers, soda, artificial fruit rollups, and granola bars—only puts them at risk for serious health problems, including obesity, osteoporosis, and diabetes. For example, the carbonation found in soda can actually erode tooth enamel. Encourage your child to use a straw when drinking soda; this will help keep at least some of the carbonated beverage away from the teeth.

Adult Nutrition and Teeth

The importance of continuing a healthy, balanced diet throughout your adult life is not discounted.