5 Tooth-Friendly Foods in 2017
July 27, 2017 10:16 pm
Eating healthy is great for our bodies, but it’s also important for your teeth. If you’re looking for some new foods to include in your diet, or even wondering what you can keep on the menu, here are a few of our favorite tooth-friendly foods.
Calcium-Rich Dairy
Your bones love calcium, and guess what? So do your teeth! Cheese, yogurt, and milk are all great nutrition options that benefit your teeth. Calcium helps strengthen tooth enamel, which is the outer layer of teeth that protects against bacteria. Studies found that cheese lowers the pH in the mouth, too, which lowers the risk of tooth decay. The probiotics in yogurt (cultures of good bacteria) crowd out much of the bad bacteria in your mouth to provide even more benefits to your gums.
Crisp Fruits & Veggies
Celery, carrots, and apples are all great foods to snack on. Their consistency scrubs teeth while you chew, removing some of the bacteria that may be stuck there. Chewing these kinds of crunchy food can also stimulate saliva production in your mouth, which helps to rinse out your mouth.
Protein
Like calcium, protein helps strengthen tooth enamel. Since protein is also good for your overall health, consider adding some protein-rich foods to your diet. Nuts, cheese, and lean meats like chicken are all great ways to get more protein.
Thirst-Quenching Water
Not only does water have no calories (so it’s not detrimental to your waistline), but it also helps to cleanse your mouth of bacteria and leftover food particles. Suffering from a dry mouth? Hydrate with water!
Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing gum after a meal may actually help clean your mouth out! The act of chewing helps produce more saliva, cleaning out leftover food after a meal. The sugar-free variety of chewing gum is always best because you don’t want to add more sticky sugar and bacteria to your teeth.
Want to learn more about how your nutrition affects your oral health? Talk with us at your next appointment! We want to help make sure that your smile is healthy and beautiful for a lifetime.