[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/right-foods-improve-dental-health\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/right-foods-improve-dental-health\/","headline":"The Right Foods to Improve Your Dental Health","name":"The Right Foods to Improve Your Dental Health","description":"Do apples keep the doctor AND dentist away? How about dark chocolate? Does that have an effect on your teeth as well? The truth is that the foods you consume can have a definite impact on your dental health, so it pays to watch what you eat. Here\u2019s what we mean. Foods That Clean Your […]","datePublished":"2019-05-20","dateModified":"2025-09-18","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/author\/jeremy\/#Person","name":"Jeremy Johnson","url":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/author\/jeremy\/","identifier":2,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4feffc5d95566eb3f006763a94fe8101092a8fd889afeafb3ded33b6b5e5cb88?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4feffc5d95566eb3f006763a94fe8101092a8fd889afeafb3ded33b6b5e5cb88?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Today's Dental","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/td-logo.png","url":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/td-logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/dental-health-tips.jpg","url":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/dental-health-tips.jpg","height":423,"width":846},"url":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/right-foods-improve-dental-health\/","about":["Dental Facts","Dental Health"],"wordCount":545,"articleBody":"Do apples keep the doctor AND dentist away? How about dark chocolate? Does that have an effect on your teeth as well? The truth is that the foods you consume can have a definite impact on your dental health, so it pays to watch what you eat. Here\u2019s what we mean.Foods That Clean Your TeethYou already know that brushing and flossing play an important role in keeping your teeth healthy, but combining those good tooth care habits with\u00a0certain foods\u00a0can help you achieve even greater results. Namely, foods that are high in fiber \u2014 fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and leafy greens \u2014 are a good choice. These high fiber foods even pull a kind of \u201cdouble duty,\u201d as they are also key in helping your mouth produce more saliva, which can counteract the deleterious effects of acids and enzymes that come from sugary and starchy foods.Speaking of which, those foods high in sugar\/starch content, like candy (with some exceptions), soda, and alcohol, can form a harmful acid that breaks down tooth enamel when they come into contact with plaque. It\u2019s best to avoid these foods, and instead turn to tooth-healthy options like apples, which we\u2019ll be taking a closer look at next.The Wonders of ApplesApples are referred to as \u201cnature\u2019s toothbrush\u201d for a reason. While they don\u2019t exactly remove plaque from your teeth (as is the common conception), they do help\u00a0reduce the viability of salivary bacteria, in a manner similar to brushing your teeth. This, in turn, goes a long way in helping to protect your teeth and gums from decay.Apples can have drawbacks, however, in the fact that they are an acidic food (note earlier what we mentioned acid can do to tooth enamel). Most apples have a\u00a0pH ranging from 3-4, putting them in a similar league as many fruit juices and soda, which\u00a0also have pH values under 4. Thankfully, though, there are a few practices you can exercise to help reduce the effects of acidic food on your teeth, which include:Combining acidic foods with mealtime \u2014 This reduces the amount of contact acidic foods and drinks have with your teeth, and works to neutralize their negative effects.Wash out acidic drinks with water \u2014 Having water with acidic foods can help to rinse them from your teeth.Or try some milk\/cheese \u2014 Milk or cheese at the end of a meal can help cancel out the acidity of other foods.Use a straw \u2014 If you\u2019re drinking something acidic, use a straw to limit the amount of contact with your teeth.Wait before brushing \u2014 Since acidic foods and drink can soften tooth enamel (making it more damage-prone), wait at least an hour after you\u2019ve eaten them to brush.Be sure to incorporate these habits into your meal routine to help nullify the damage done to your teeth, and keep that healthy smile.Eating the right foods is a great step in the right direction, but don\u2019t let your foods do all the work. Combining proper eating habits with regular tooth care is the best way to protect your smile, so be sure to\u00a0schedule an appointment\u00a0with one of our top dentists today!Schedule Your Appointment Today!"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Right Foods to Improve Your Dental Health","item":"https:\/\/omahadentists.net\/blog\/right-foods-improve-dental-health\/"}]}]