Meal Prep for Your Teeth: Foods that Help Prevent Gum Disease

You know what’s difficult? Preparing meals. You know what else is difficult? Fighting off gum disease. If only there were a way to do both at the same time.

As it turns out, there is! Brushing and flossing every day might be the best way to prevent gum disease, but you can give your body a boost with some strategic diet choices. Here are some anti-gum disease foods, complete with meal prep suggestions.

Salads You Can Sink Your Teeth Into

Fruits and vegetables can actually help clean your teeth by increasing your saliva production. It sounds gross, but saliva helps you wash out food particles and limits the enamel-weakening effects of acidic foods. Stronger enamel means more protection against gum disease, and pristine pearly whites can’t harbor gum disease-causing bacteria. You can always toss a quick salad together or throw a bunch of fruit in a cup, but that can quickly get boring.

Spice up your veggie mix by adding your favorite grains, proteins, and toppings. Chicken, sundried tomatoes, and feta make for a great Mediterranean flavor profile. If you’re a fan of sushi, try incorporating rice, avocado, and dried seaweed. For your fruit, use cream cheese or yogurt as a base. Fish and cheese in particular have the added benefit of containing calcium, which as you’ll see, is also great for strengthening your teeth against gum disease.

Finally, a Legit Reason to Eat Lots of Cheese

You might remember that calcium is good for building strong, healthy bones. Turns out it’s also good for supporting your teeth and preventing decay! Besides cheese, you can find calcium in almost any dairy product, like milk and yogurt.

You can go a step beyond adding sliced cheese to sandwiches and sprinkling copious amounts of parmesan on pastas. Invite your friends over for a fondue night. Not only is this crazy fun, but you can bring crunchy vegetables and melt sweeter cheeses for a fruity fondue dessert. What a good way to maintain your oral health, right?

Fun Little Drinks that Are Good for Teeth

There’s just something profoundly enjoyable about having a fun little drink. Tea enjoyers will be happy to know that studies show green tea is more than protective. It actually lowers your chance of developing gum disease. Just opt for honey over sugar, if you can’t drink it without a sweetener. Sugar fuels bacteria, which can turn into plaque and lead to gum disease. Lighter doses are definitely better.

Staying hydrated with water is important for your health in general, but it can also help wash food particles out of your mouth and keep bacteria away. For something a little more outside-the-box than just adding lemon juice, make a cucumber and mint refresher. This drink is sooo satisfying in the summer and will help you feel both relaxed and bright.

Diet solutions are great for promoting preventative care. However, they can’t do much if you already have gum disease. Remember to keep your dentist in the loop about the state of your gums. The sooner you address any warning signs, the easier it’ll be to remove the infection and keep your pearly whites happy and healthy.

About the Practice

Drs. Frank and Jodie Rubal love helping patients maintain their oral health. It’s something the both of them have always been passionate about. If you want some more tips on taking care of your precious pearly whites, they’d be happy to talk with you! Simply call 817-444-2585 to contact their office or explore their website for more information.