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Foods that Help or Harm Your Smile

Date: 01/28/25

Some of our favorite foods feed germs and bacteria in your mouth that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. However, there are some foods that can help you keep your mouth and teeth healthy.

A few foods that are good for your teeth are:

  • Vegetables and fruit that have high amounts of fiber. This includes spinach, apples and berries.
  • Cheese, milk and other dairy products. These foods help put minerals back in your teeth from eating other foods.
  • Sugarless chewing gum. It can help remove food particles from your teeth, without damaging them since they have no sugar.

Some of the foods you want to avoid are:

  • Sticky candy and sweets. Candy can stick to your teeth and cause cavities.
  • Carbonated soft drinks. They are high in sugar and wear away tooth enamel.
  • Starchy foods like potato chips. These can get stuck in between your teeth.

Fluoride also helps keep your teeth healthy. This is usually found in water, but some toothpastes have fluoride in it as well. For more information on protecting your teeth, visit the resources below: