A Healthy Diet is as Important to Your Teeth as Your Body
It is commonly known that a good diet can go a long way in improving the overall health of your body. However, what you eat also plays quite a large role in the health of your teeth as well. There are plenty of foods that promote a healthy smile, but there are just as many that have a negative effect on the whiteness of your teeth.
The American Dental Association (ADA) notes that one of the first areas to decline with a poor diet is your oral health. This is not too surprising as your mouth is the very first stop for food entering your body.
Good Foods
Even if you practice good oral hygiene routines, such as brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once a day, it can still be difficult to ensure the health of your teeth. Here are some foods that help promote a healthy smile.
Cheese:
For those looking to improve the health of their teeth, cheese is one of the best choices available. It is low in sugar and high in calcium, but it also contains casein, a protein used in strengthening your teeth’s enamel. The calcium is used to maintain bone density as well. Cheese also contains high levels of phosphate that helps balance the pH levels in your mouth. Lastly, chewing cheese helps increase the saliva production in our mouth, helping wash away bacteria.
Water:
No drink compares to the health benefits of water. Our bodies are mostly made of water, so staying hydrated ensures that our entire body distributes healthy nutrients, gets rid of wastes, among other benefits. If you drink water with fluoride, known as “nature’s cavity fighter,” you are helping your teeth prevent the development of cavities. Additionally, along with saliva, it helps wash bacteria away.
Crunchy Vegetables:
Crunchy vegetables are extremely helpful at maintaining healthy teeth. Carrots and celery are two of these types of veggies. These crunchy and firm vegetables require a lot of chewing which increases the saliva buildup while also scrubbing away at food particles and bacteria in your teeth. Because it is so fibrous, celery is an effective teeth cleaner. Carrots also contain vitamin C, calcium, and keratins that all help fight off cavities.
Leafy Greens:
Leafy greens should always find their way onto anyone’s healthy food list. They are rich in calcium, folic acid, and other important vitamins and minerals that allow your teeth and gums to stay healthy. The calcium helps build teeth enamel, while folic acid helps treat gum disease.
Nuts:
Nuts are packed with a handful of nutritional value for your body and your teeth. Nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts, and cashews all help your teeth fight back against tooth decay. They aren’t the only nuts that help your teeth. Peanuts and almonds both offer high levels of calcium and vitamin D, improving teeth and gum health. They all help to increase saliva growth.
Meats & Fatty Fish:
Meats offer the body some of the best nutrients possible. While it is important not to consume too much red meat, lean meats such as poultry, fish, and pork are rich in phosphorus, which is crucial to the development of healthy teeth. Having to chew through meat also forces your mouth to create more saliva which helps wash harmful bacteria off your teeth.
Bad Foods
While there is plenty of foods that are great at improving your overall and oral health, there are just as many foods that can be harmful. Many of these include foods and drinks that are high in sugar. This sugar builds up and produces acids that eat away at your teeth’s enamel. Here are more harmful foods:
- Citrus Fruit
- Chewy Candy
- Hard Candy
- Soda
- Coffee
- Wine
- Sports Dr.inks
- High Sugar Snacks
It may not always be possible to avoid high sugar foods, so the best course of action is to try to limit the amount you consume.
Maintaining a healthy smile requires more than just oral hygiene practices. It requires you to improve your diet by including foods and drinks that promote oral health. Having a healthy diet can not only help your overall health but the health of your teeth and gums as well. At Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas, our team of experienced dental health experts is able to provide you with the knowledge to improve your oral health.
