The Dental Diet: 4 Foods That Nourish Your Teeth from Within

Prevention is the best medicine for your smile. Although fillings, crowns, and professional whitening can make your teeth stronger and brighter, it's better (and cheaper) to avoid cavities and stains. And you can do so by brushing, flossing, and—last but not least—the right way. And fortunately, even foods like candy are generally harmless in moderation.

Avoid: Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits and juices - a rich source of vitamin C and other nutrients - are good for you in many ways. But not when it comes to your teeth.

Enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth, is susceptible to decay and erosion. 1 Grapefruit and lemon juice, in particular, are highly acidic and can erode tooth enamel over time.

Avoid: Chewy candy
The stickier the candy, the worse it is for your teeth.

Extra chewy candies—like taffy, caramel, or jujifruits—stick to (and between) teeth longer, allowing the bacteria in our mouths to comfortably feast on the accumulated sugar.2

"Bacteria burn sugar to create acid, which dissolves the protective layer of tooth enamel and causes cavities," Dr. Messina explained.

Avoid: Hard candy
You should also avoid hard candies. 3 They don't stick to your teeth as easily as chewy candies. However, they dissolve slowly and saturate your mouth for several minutes at a time, giving bacteria more time to produce harmful acids.

Avoid: Pickles
Acid (usually provided by vinegar) is essential for the pickling process. This is what gives pickles their sour, salty taste—and it's also what makes them a potential threat to tooth enamel. Studies have shown that regular consumption of vinegar or pickles is a risk factor for tooth erosion.

Good: Sugarless gum
Sugar-free gum helps clean teeth by stimulating saliva production. Saliva is nature's way of washing away acid produced by bacteria in your mouth.

Good: Water
Water, like saliva, helps wash sugar and acid from the teeth. It also contains fluoride, a mineral that protects against tooth erosion and is found in toothpaste and some mouthwashes.

Good: Dairy
Milk and other dairy products are the primary dietary sources of calcium needed for healthy teeth. Calcium is the main component in the mineral, known as hydroxyapatite, which strengthens tooth enamel and bones. 11 Teeth are not bones, technically, but they have similar properties.

Good: High fiber foods
Leafy vegetables and other high-fiber foods promote good digestion and healthy cholesterol levels. They also do wonders for your teeth – mostly because they require a lot of chewing.