Every bite you consume determines your smile. And while brushing and flossing are the stars of the show, your diet plays a powerful yet often overlooked role in your dental health history. According to Dr. McDonald, a trusted dentist in Cheney, what you consume has the potential to create healthy teeth or chip them away year by year. She breaks down the best foods for long-term oral health and also what to skip for the best oral health.

Why Your Diet Matters for Your Teeth’s Health

Food is not only a supply of energy for your body, but also a daily tool for maintaining (or damaging) healthy teeth.

Sugars, acids, and low-nutrient diets create a hostile environment in your mouth. They weaken enamel, irritate gums, and feed cavity-causing bacteria. On the other hand, a nutrient-dense, tooth-friendly diet keeps enamel strong, reduces inflammation, and supports saliva production.

What to Add to Your Plate for Stronger Teeth

Here is a list of foods and nutrients the best dentist in Cheney recommends for her patients throughout Cheney:

Calcium-Rich Foods

For Strengthening Enamel

Your teeth need calcium just as your bones need it. It makes enamel, the outer layer of protection surrounding your teeth, stronger.

• Low-fat dairy foods like cheese, yogurt, and milk
• Fortified plant milk
• Leafy greens (kale, bok choy, collard greens)

Phosphorus-Rich Foods

For Repair and Regrowth

Phosphorus remodels and maintains enamel.

• Eggs
• Fish (salmon and tuna)
• Lean meat and lentils

Vitamin C

For Healthier Gums and Connective Tissues

Vitamin C helps to keep gum tissues healthy and speeds up healing.

• Bell peppers
• Strawberries and oranges
• Broccoli and Brussels sprouts

Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables

For Natural Cleaning and Saliva Flow

Crunchy fruits and vegetables naturally clean teeth as they stimulate saliva, which washes away acids from the mouth.

• Apples
• Celery
• Carrots

Water with Fluoride

For Everyday Enamel Support

Fluoridated water keeps enamel healthy and cleans food particles. It’s among the simplest prevention you can do.

Foods Secretly Rotting Your Teeth

Some popular snacks appear harmless, but silently erode enamel and inflame gums. Here are the things our dentist in Cheney advises cutting down on:

• Sticky sweets and chewy dried fruits that cling to enamel
• Citrus-flavored drinks and sodas (high acidity)
• Consistent snacking on carbohydrate-rich foods like crackers or chips (they are broken down to sugar)
• Coffee can stain teeth and dry out your mouth

Instead of cutting out all your favorites, restrict them and rinse with water afterward.

Balanced Eating Builds Lifelong Dental Health

Dr. McDonald dissuades patients from adhering to fad diets or severe restrictions. Instead, she stresses following balanced, whole-food-rich meals high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

A well-nourished diet rich in nutrients and regular visits from the best dentist in Cheney lower the need for elaborate dental work in the future. Healthy choices today can help save your smile tomorrow.

At Dr. McDonald’s office, we’re here to help you take care of your smile on all sides—at home and in our office. To keep your teeth strong, healthy, and safe, schedule an appointment with our top dentist in Cheney today.