Everyone can use all the help they can get in maintaining an attractive, healthy smile for as long as possible. In addition to brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits to prevent tooth decay, you can also choose to eat foods that strengthen and protect your teeth. The following article explains how the foods we eat have a major impact on our oral health as well as our overall well being. Here’s a list of 9 teeth friendly foods that will keep you chewing for long time to come.
Cheese
As if we didn’t need more reasons to eat cheese! A study published by the American Academy of General Dentistry found that eating cheese raised the pH levels in your mouth and lowered the risk of tooth decay. Cheese also contains calcium and protein which strengthens tooth enamel. Calcium contains hydroxyapatite which helps to strengthen all the bones in your body. Dairy products also contain casein, a protein which plays a vital role in stabalizing and protecting tooth enamel.
Yogurt
Like cheese and dairy, yogurt contains plenty of calcium needed to protect and strengthen you teeth. However, yogurt also contains probiotic, a healthy bacteria that crowds out the bad bacteria in your mouth to create a healthier oral biome. On top of that, yogurt balances pH levels in your mouth, making it hard for acidic loving bacteria to survive. Make sure to buy the sugarless, full fat, or Greek varieties of yogurt!
Leafy Greens
In addition to also containing high levels of calcium, leafy greens such as kale and spinach contain folic acid. Folic acid is a type of vitamin B that helps fight gum disease according to studies. Leafy greens also require a large amount of chewing to digest properly, which produces large amounts of saliva in the mouth and washes away unhealthy bacteria.
Almonds
Almonds do wonders for your tooth because they are high in calcium and protein while also being low in sugar. Almonds also contains magnesium and phosphorous which supports calcium in building strong bones and tooth enamel. So basically, go nuts for healthy teeth!
Fish
Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are rich in minerals as well as vitamin D. Scientist have also linked omega-3 fatty acids in fish to lower rates of periodontal and gum disease due to their anti-inflammatory effects that fight inflammation caused by bacteria in the mouth.
Red Meat
Meat is great for oral health. In addition to being high in phosphorous, they’re also high in all the minerals and nutrients mentioned above. Homemade broth made from meat bones are particularly high in all of these minerals and nutrients.
Raisins
The antioxidants found in berries such as strawberries and cranberries fight the bacteria that cause inflammation and periodontal disease. Phytochemicals in raisins have been found to benefit oral health by fighting bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease.
Berries
Berries such as strawberries and cranberies are packed with Vitamin C, antioxidants and also malic acid, which could even naturally whiten your teeth. Cranberries also have hydroxyapatite which blocks bacterial enzymes that create plaque.
Tea
In addition to foods that are healthy for teeth, there are also drinks that will assist in cavity prevention. Water always being the best of course for washing away food particle, but certain types of tea have also been know to help oral health. Black and green teas contain polyphenols which slow the growth of bacteria related to tooth decay and gum disease. They also contain antioxidants which help combat inflammation.
Other Benificial Foods
Foods with honorable mention include garlic, ginger, celery, apples, onions, and black coffee. There are many different foods that benefit your teeth, but there are also those that are not so good for you. It’s important to do your research to be able to determine which foods to avoid and which to consume more
Call Patriot Family Dental Today!
Patriot Family Dental is here to answer any questions you might have about dental care, services and treatments that we provide in El Paso, TX. Call us today at (915) 260-6575, or visit our Contact page to schedule an appointment.
