Your dentist in Hampton, VA, will tell you that oral health not only has to do with your dental hygiene practices but what you eat as well. Learn more.

Did you know that 92% of all adults in the United States have had a dental cavity at some point?

Any dentist in Hampton, VA, will tell you that brushing your teeth every day is important for keeping your teeth healthy, but what your dentist in Hampton, VA, might not tell you is that eating the right foods is also very important. 

Most people don't think much about how food can affect teeth. So, if you're like most people, you might be wondering what kind of foods you should be eating to ensure that your teeth are the healthiest they can be. Fortunately, this article will teach you everything you need to know. 



First, let's take a look at why calcium-rich foods are some of the best foods you can eat for your dental health. 

Why You Should Eat Calcium-Rich Foods for Your Teeth

Eat Vitamin C for Your Gums

When you think of scurvy, you most likely think of pirates. However, scurvy can affect anyone who doesn't consume enough vitamin C, and it can seriously damage your oral health. Scurvy results from a vitamin C deficiency and its symptoms include abnormalities in connective tissue throughout the body. 

People with scurvy tend to have weak skin and slow wound healing. However, the most noticeable symptoms take place in the mouth. This is because the gums or gingiva are often severely affected by scurvy. 

Common symptoms include red and bleeding gums, loose teeth, and tooth loss. Once your dental health declines to this state, you'll likely need dentures in Hampton, VA.

While most foods are fortified with vitamin C and even though scurvy is not a common condition in America, being deficient in vitamin C is still possible and it can harm your dental health. For that reason, in order to avoid any unnecessary trips to the emergency dentist in Hampton, VA, you should make an effort to consume vitamin C-rich foods.



Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons. Spinach, tomatoes, and peppers are also full of vitamin C. However, be careful not to eat too many citrus fruits since their acid can damage your teeth over time, and then you might have more dental problems that require general dentistry in Hampton, VA.

Dried Fruits and Your Teeth

Most of the time, sticky and sugary foods are just about the worst things you can put in your mouth if you're concerned about the state of your teeth. After all, sticky foods and dental implants, Hampton, VA, have a closer connection than you might expect. However, certain dried fruits seem to be the exception. 

Dried fruits such as raisins and cranberries seem to be unique due to chemicals known as phytochemicals. Some researchers have discovered that these phytochemicals may have powerful antibacterial properties. When you eat raisins and cranberries, their phytochemicals are able to fight back the bacteria that would normally flock to sugary particles in your mouth and secrete acid. 

For that reason, raisins and cranberries seem to reduce the risk of developing gum disease and cavities. However, this does not mean that all you have to do to keep your teeth healthy is eat dried fruits. These dried fruits may help your teeth, but they won't make them invulnerable. 



For that reason, it's still important to brush your teeth after you eat dried fruits. Remember that flossing is just as important as brushing, especially when it comes to sticky foods. Dark dried fruits such as cranberries can also stain your teeth, which then might require teeth whitening in Hampton, VA. 

Visit Your Dentist in Hampton, VA

By the end of this article, you should know about all the main foods you can incorporate into your diet to improve your dental health. By eating right and making regular visits to the dentist in Hampton, VA, you can be sure that your teeth will be healthy for a long time to come. 



To learn more about dental health, contact us today.