When it comes to your dental care, what you put in your body can have a big effect on the health and strength of your teeth. Your homecare goes beyond brushing and flossing, taking into consideration the things that you drink and eat. If you want a better report from your dentist at your next visit, you should avoid eating food and drinks that are high in sugar. But knowing what foods you shouldn’t eat is only half the battle. You also need to know what you should be eating. Here are the best foods for your teeth.
- Greens: Mama always said to eat your vegetables and she was right. Leafy green vegetables are loaded with vitamins and minerals that are good for your body as well as your teeth. High in calcium, they can improve the strength of the enamel on your teeth. If you are not a big salad eater, you can always slip greens into other foods that you eat, giving you the added vitamins without the salad taste.
- Carrots: Another good vegetable to add into your diet is carrots. Carrots are crunchy, helping clean off the surface of your teeth while stimulating your gums. They are also high in both fibre and vitamin A, which is simply good for your body as well as your teeth.
- Almonds: Almonds are high in both calcium and protein while still having low sugar content. The calcium can help the strength of your teeth while the crunch of the nut can help keep plaque from building up on the surface of your teeth.
- Apples: While there are fruits out there that can be damaging to your teeth, apples are not one of them. Instead apples are high in fibre and full of water. They are a great to stimulate saliva production in your mouth, which is the best natural cleanser that you can have. The texture of the apples is also great for naturally cleaning both your gums and your teeth.
- Cheese: Cheese is not just a good source of calcium in your diet, but it has an added benefit as well. Cheese can raise the pH within your mouth, reducing the amount of acid and preventing the growth of tooth decay. The protein and calcium will also strengthen your enamel, so if you are a cheese lover, you can indulge.
- Yogurt: Also in the realm of dairy, yogurt is another great food to eat for your dental health. Yogurt, like cheese, is high in protein and calcium, helping strengthen your dental enamel. Yogurt also has the added bonus of probiotics, which can help get rid of the bad bacteria that promotes tooth decay. The only risk with yogurt is if you buy a type that is high in sugar, which might negate the positives you get from yogurt.
- Celery: Celery is kind of like a natural toothbrush, though remember is it not an actual replacement for a toothbrush. Eating celery will help take off any food that has built up on your teeth, while stimulating your gums. Celery is also a good source of vitamins A and C, which will help your overall health as well as your dental health.
While no food is a replacement for good homecare, including brushing and flossing, eating well can help your teeth stay strong and healthy. Avoiding drinking soda and eating high sugared foods can also help, but a good and balanced diet can make a huge difference in the your oral health, giving you a healthy smile for many years to come.