There are a lot of foods that can be bad for your teeth, but there are also many that are good for healthy teeth. Many common foods and drinks can help you to have healthier teeth.
Milk
Milk is one of the best drinks for your teeth. It is high in calcium as well as a number of other important nutrients, such as protein, that can help your teeth become stronger. When you drink milk, it also causes lower levels of acid in the mouth, and this helps you to fight cavities and tooth decay. It also causes your body to make more saliva, and this gives your teeth more protection.
Leafy Greens
There are several foods that fall into this category, including spinach, kale, chard, broccoli, and collard greens. These foods are all full of important nutrients while still being low-calorie. Leafy greens have calcium which is good for stronger teeth. They also have certain minerals and vitamins that help your body to make more saliva. This in turn helps to keep the mouth cleaner and the tooth enamel healthier. They are so high in nutrients and low in calories that it’s usually advised to have as many of these in your diet as possible. Try adding them to foods like casseroles and smoothies for healthier teeth.
Garlic
Garlic is an interesting food that is generally used sparingly in dishes. However, it contains a substance called allicin, and this is a strong antimicrobial. Eating garlic can clean out some of the microbes in your mouth so that it is cleaner and healthier. This then helps the teeth to fight off tooth decay. It’s especially helpful for preventing and fighting periodontal disease.
Cheese
Cheese is a great food for your teeth in many ways. Like milk, it is high in calcium to help make your teeth stronger. It is also another food that encourages the salivary glands to create more saliva, protecting your teeth by getting rid of some of the bacteria in your mouth. Cheese also lowers the amount of acid in your mouth, and this can help to prevent plaque. It also contains phosphates, which are important to bones and teeth. While some foods can cause mineral loss in your teeth, cheese actually adds to those minerals. Hard cheeses that are aged are best for the teeth.
Black and Green Teas
These teas have substances called polyphenols. These have been shown to reduce both the bacteria in your mouth and the toxic products that come from those bacteria. Polyphenols can keep more bacteria from growing in your mouth and prevent bacteria from making the acid that can attack your teeth. Black and green teas also have fluoride in them, a substance that is known to help strengthen teeth and help the enamel layer. It’s helpful to keep honey and sugar out of your tea, as both of these can lead to problems with your teeth.
Yogurt
This dairy product has a lot of calcium that helps to build up teeth and make them stronger. The probiotic aspect of yogurt is often eaten for gut health, but it is also helpful for reducing the amount of demineralization that can happen to the enamel of teeth. It can help to combat both gum disease and cavities, and it even fights bad breath. The only catch is that many yogurts contain heavy sugar levels, and this can attack the teeth. Choose yogurt that is unsweetened or artificially sweetened to cut down on that tooth-damaging sugar.
Carrots
Carrots are a great snack as well as being good in a variety of dishes. They have very low in fat, sugar, and calories and are high in fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin A, and biotin. However, it is the density and texture that make them even better for teeth. The harder texture of carrots makes them work well for getting plaque off your teeth. They have a texture and abrasiveness that are rough as you chew. This can get food and plaque to rub off the teeth so that your teeth are cleaner and healthier. They are also full of a lot of vitamins and minerals that are important to the teeth and mouth.
Fish
Fish are great for the teeth, but not just any fish will do. Fatty fish are the type that is good for your teeth and gums. Fish like salmon, sardines, herring, tuna, and mackerel have large amounts of both vitamin D and calcium. Having the two together is especially helpful as vitamin D helps you to absorb the calcium in the fish. Fatty fish also contain omega-3 fatty acids that have been found by Harvard studies to lower your risk of developing gum disease. It is believed that these fats can help to treat infections in the mouth as well as to calm any inflammation in the mouth. This leads to less breaking down of the tissues and stronger teeth. To get the benefits of these fish, eat them about twice a week.
Celery
The hard texture of celery is another tough vegetable that can rub the plaque off your teeth. They work similarly to a toothbrush in many ways. They are highly crunchy, and this encourages the creation of more saliva which can keep the mouth cleaner. Celery also has a number of antioxidants, and these are helpful for better gum health and for preventing gum inflammation. Celery is often added to cooked dishes, but eating it raw is better for your teeth.
Raisins
It used to be taught that raisins were especially bad for the teeth because of their sugar content and stickiness. However, it has since been shown that they have a number of phytochemicals that can be beneficial. Oleanolic is one such chemical that kills bacteria in the mouth that can cause cavities. They also have high levels of antioxidants that are helpful for gum health.
All of these foods are healthy enough to add to a healthy diet for their many nutrients as well as their tooth-building and protectant aspects.
Have questions about taking care of your teeth or about the dental services we offer at DFW Oral Surgeons? Give us a call today!