Dental Health Nutrition and Good Oral Health By Tammy Davenport Tammy Davenport is a dental assistant with experience on the clinical and administrative side. Learn about our editorial process Tammy Davenport Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Edmund Khoo, DDS on November 19, 2019 Edmund Khoo, DDS, is board-certified in orthodontics and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Learn about our Medical Review Board Edmund Khoo, DDS Updated on October 25, 2020 Print Choosing the right foods in your diet is an important aspect of having healthy teeth and good oral hygiene. Establishing good nutritional habits in kids and teenagers can be especially beneficial for good eating patterns and food choices throughout their lives. Creative RF / JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images How Nutrition Affects Oral Health The foods that you eat come in contact with the germs and bacteria that live in the mouth. If you don’t brush, plaque will accumulate on the teeth. Plaque thrives on the starches and sugars that are found in a lot of foods. When plaque combines with the sugars and starches, an acid is produced that attacks the enamel on the teeth, and eventually, causes decay. According to the American Dental Association, the acid attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more. Choosing a Healthy Diet Choosing a healthy diet may sound easy, however, fruits, milk, cereals, bread, and some vegetables contain sugars and/or starches. Carbonated sodas, sweet fruit drinks, and sugary snack foods should be limited. You don’t have to avoid these foods, just keep in mind that you should eat a balanced diet, brush your teeth twice a day, and floss daily. Protein, found in meat, cheese, beans, and dairy products, is important in building collagen, which leads to healthy connective tissue and gum health, as well as bone and wound healing. Healthy Tips Drink plenty of waterEat a variety of healthy foods from the five major food groupsCut down on snacking in between mealsLimit snacks and drinks that are high in sugarBrush twice a dayFloss dailyVisit your dentist for regular check-ups Summary While eating healthy foods and avoiding snacks and drinks that are high in sugar are good ways to prevent cavities, a good dental regimen is essential in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing thoroughly and your dentist can detect any signs of early decay. If you have a severe sweet tooth like me, try starting out by replacing one snack a day with healthy choices. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit