Did you know that the foods you eat have an impact on your dental health? Here’s everything you need to know to make dietary choices that nurture your teeth and gums.
Foods that are High in Calcium
Getting plenty of calcium in your diet can support strong bones and teeth, both of which are critical to optimal dental health. Cheese, yogurt, milk, leafy, dark green vegetables, fish, beans, and peas. Additional foods that frequently have calcium added to them are juices, cereals, almond milk, and soy milk.
Adding vitamin D to your diet helps your body use the calcium you eat. You can increase your vitamin D intake by eating mushrooms, cheese, salmon, tuna, beef liver, swordfish, and egg yolks. Many of the foods that are fortified with calcium are also fortified with vitamin D.
Foods Rich in Phosphorous
Phosphorous also supports a healthy smile. You can find phosphorous in lean meats, nuts, dairy, beans, eggs, and fish – or, if you’re feeling especially adventurous – you can find a catalog of high-phosphorous recipes here.
Foods that Contain Vitamin C
It’s impossible to have healthy teeth without taking care of your gums, which hold your teeth in place. Vitamin C serves as a building block for healthy gums, contributing to strong connective tissue and reducing the likelihood of periodontal disease and bleeding gums. Red peppers, citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, potatoes, brussel sprouts, and tomatoes all supply vitamin C.
Hard, Fibrous Fruits
Eating hard fibrous fruits like pears and apples can help support a healthy smile in two ways:
- the crunchy texture helps physically clean your teeth between meals, and
- salivation increases, neutralizes acids in your mouth, reducing the risk of decay
That means in this case, an apple a day really does keep the doctor (or the dentist) away!
Foods that Fuel Your Body
Your dental health depends on your overall health and well-being. When you are getting the hydration and nutrition you need to ward off infections, heal after injuries, and grow as expected (children and teens), you set yourself up for dental success, too.
That means you can take a common-sense approach to eating for dental health: choose foods and drinks that fuel your body. Choose water over sugary soft drinks and choose fresh fruits and vegetables over pre-packaged snacks. Eating for dental health isn’t impossible, and small, healthy choices add up quickly.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols, which are found in coffee, tea, cranberries, and raisins, are also a great choice for dental health. They combat damage to your cells, reduce inflammation, and disrupt the formation of plaque, which can reduce the risk of cavities. As a reminder, coffee and tea can cause staining, so it’s important to brush or rinse after a cup!
Lots of Water
Drinking water throughout the day can help rinse acid, sugar, and debris from your teeth and gum line and prevent staining and decay. Rinsing after sugary drinks, meals, and snacks is especially helpful.
To learn more about taking care of your smile or get started with a visit, book with our caring team today! Find your local Ideal Dental office today to schedule a visit with our dentists. You can also read our related blog post to learn about foods that can damage your teeth.