Your diet has a substantial impact on the health of your teeth. Taking steps to incorporate nutritious foods into your diet can significantly improve the health of your teeth and prevent many of the issues that are consistent with unhealthy foods. Understanding which foods can improve the health of your teeth will go a long way toward keeping your smile safe, beautiful, and in great condition. Here are a few of the most beneficial foods to add to your diet to enhance your oral health.
#1. Dairy Products
Dairy products are an excellent source of calcium and protein, which aid in strengthening the teeth and bones. Calcium provides a remineralizing effect to further strengthen the teeth. Cheese is an especially beneficial food to improve the health of your teeth because it contains calcium and protein and helps neutralize acids in the mouth and restore your mouth’s pH balance.
#2. Green Vegetables
Dark, green, leafy vegetables contain calcium, which provides many health benefits. Calcium can help to remineralize the teeth and protect the enamel layer. Eating these vegetables is especially important for lactose-intolerant individuals who can’t obtain calcium from dairy products. Try making a salad using these dark green vegetables. Maximize oral health benefits by adding carrots or other crunchy vegetables.
#3. Apples, Pears, and Other Crunchy Fruits
It is important to take care when eating fruit. Some fruits are incredibly high in sugar, which can damage the teeth. Other fruits with high acidity levels, like lemons or limes, can similarly damage the teeth. However, many fruits can be incredibly beneficial to the health of the teeth.
Apples and pears feature a crunchy texture that “scrubs” the surface of the teeth. This helps to dislodge food particles that may have become trapped in the teeth, preventing severe plaque accumulation. Apples and pears also have high water content, which helps to buffer acids and flush out harmful food particles.
#4. Celery
Celery, like crunchy fruits, can often mimic the functionality of a toothbrush. However, it is important to remember that this is not a replacement for brushing your teeth thoroughly. Celery also contains high levels of vitamin C and vitamin A, which are antioxidants that go a long way toward fighting off illnesses and improving gum health.
#5. Fish
Meat is high in protein and can help to strengthen the teeth. Fish can provide additional benefits when it comes to improving the health of your teeth. Consuming calcium will ultimately be pointless if your body doesn’t sufficiently absorb it. This is where fish is incredibly beneficial. Many types of fish are high in vitamin D, which improves the body’s ability to absorb calcium. Other kinds of meat can also strengthen the teeth due to their protein content, but they likely won’t contain as much vitamin D.
#6. Yogurt
Yogurt is another helpful dairy product to incorporate into your diet. Yogurt contains calcium and protein, which helps strengthen the teeth. Furthermore, yogurt can be beneficial in fighting gum disease. Yogurt is one of the best sources of probiotics, which are essentially beneficial bacteria. This helps to fight the harmful bacteria that can cause gum disease. However, you must choose a type of plain yogurt that doesn’t contain added sugar.
#7. Sugarless Gum
Chewing sugarless gum between meals can significantly improve the health of your teeth. This often prevents you from reaching for a sugary snack that contributes to tooth decay. Furthermore, chewing gum stimulates saliva production. This helps to flush out harmful bacteria and food particles from the surface of your teeth. Keep in mind that you should only use a sugarless variety of gum — gum that contains sugar will do far more damage than good when it comes to the health of your teeth.
#8. Take Care with Your Beverages
A significant amount of sugar consumption comes with soda, juice, and other beverages, leading to tooth decay. Replacing these beverages with water can be incredibly beneficial to the health of the teeth. Water helps to flush out food particles and bacteria from the surface of the teeth, keeping the teeth in great condition. You may also want to regularly swish water around in your mouth after eating to minimize damage to your smile.
#9. Foods to Avoid
While many of these foods can benefit the health of your teeth, there are other foods that should be avoided, including foods that contain high levels of sugar. Avoiding excessive candy, soda, and other sweet foods is important to prevent damage to your teeth.
Sticky foods can also damage the teeth. These foods tend to stick to the surface of your teeth, which can allow plaque to accumulate. Making good dietary choices will help to improve the health of your teeth.
Improve the Health of Your Teeth with Leavitt Dentistry
At Leavitt Family Dentistry, our experienced team guides you on the best ways to protect the health of your teeth. We offer superior dental cleanings and other dental services to maintain your oral health. To learn more about how to protect the health of your teeth, contact our expert team today!
