Which fruits and vegetables can contribute to your dental health - and which ones can cause oral hygiene issues? Fruits and vegetables can reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease and possibly prevent some types of cancer, according to the T.H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health. But which ones are best for your teeth?

Take a look at what you need to know about dental health and a fruit- and veggie-rich diet.

Choose Fresh Over Processed
All fruits and vegetables are not equal. Sweetened fruit cups and canned vegetables are not the same as the fresh apples, pears, and spinach you will find in the produce aisle. Processed fruits and veggies have added ingredients and different types of preparations that can affect your oral health.

Fresh picks, such as apples or carrots, have antioxidants that can reduce the risks of gum disease. But this isn't the only way these foods can help to keep your teeth healthy.

These fresh foods can also help to clean the teeth as you eat. This decreases decay development and can help to prevent cavities in combination with regular at-home and in-office dental care. You won't get the hard snap of a fresh carrot, pear, or apple with processed canned or similar preparations. They reduce the fruit's or veggie's ability to remove bacteria and buildup on your teeth as you chew.

Processed produce may have the vitamins and minerals in fresh fruits and vegetables. But these menu options also have added sugar, salt, colors, and chemicals. Most fruits and veggies naturally contain sugar. The additional sugar in the processed version goes above and beyond what your body needs for energy.

Sugar-juice-soaked canned fruit cups and similar options can contribute to dental decay. These produce picks bathe the teeth in a sweet soak. This feeds the bacteria in your mouth, creating an acidic oral environment. The extra acids can eat away at the enamel, leaving your teeth vulnerable to infection and dental decay.

Balance Vitamin C and Acidic Foods
Vitamin C is a valuable nutrient. Along with the overall body benefits of the vitamin, C can also help oral wounds to heal and improve gum health.

Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, are rich in vitamin C. While these foods can help your mouth, eat them in moderation. The same is true for healthy vegetables, such as tomatoes. Along with plenty of vitamin C, these foods also contain acids. The acidic effects of citrus and tomato-based picks can result in enamel erosion and dental decay.

Also, reduce the negative effects of acidic fruits and vegetables with a strong oral care routine. Brush and floss after eating these foods. If you don't have a brush handy, rinse your mouth thoroughly with tap water. This removes leftover debris and can help to keep your mouth clean.

Avoid Fruit-Flavored Foods
Fruit flavors and real fruit foods aren't the same. A fruit-flavored option may not have the necessary vitamins or minerals you need from the real food. Unlike processed fruit items, these foods typically don't contain any (or only contain a minimal amount of) the actual fruit. Instead, they have chemical additives such as artificial fruit flavors and colors.

Skip fruit-flavored drinks, treats, and snacks entirely. These will do little to help your dental health. The added sugars in many of these items can cause cavities or lead to gum disease. Get the taste of an apple, pear, strawberry, cherry, or other favorite fruit from the real and fresh source instead.

Along with what you eat, regular visits to the dentist's office can help you to maintain a healthy mouth. Do you need to schedule a dental appointment for a routine cleaning and checkup? Contact New England Dental Health Services P.C. for more information.