If you’re ready for a teeth-healthy diet, check out this blog from Vibrant Square Dental.
What Foods Make Up A Teeth-Healthy Diet?
As you know, the foods you choose and how often you eat them can affect your overall health, including the health of your teeth and gums. If you consume too many sugary sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, or non-nutritious snacks, you may be at risk for tooth decay. Tooth decay is a common dental problem, but the good news is that it is completely preventable. To understand what type of diet you should eat to keep your smile healthy, continue reading, as we explain why you should incorporate more of the following:
- Calcium
- Fruits And Vegetables
- A Sense Of Balance
Why Should You Eat A Calcium-Rich Diet?
Cheese is one of the best foods for keeping your teeth healthy for a number of reasons. First, it is low in sugar and high in calcium which is important for maintaining bone density. Cheese is also high in phosphates, which help balance the pH in the mouth, which helps protect tooth enamel.
Another great reason cheese is our tooth’s friend is that chewing it increases saliva production, which helps wash away bacteria in your mouth. Milk is one of the best drinks for protecting your teeth. It is rich in calcium and other important elements. Milk, like cheese, reduces mouth acidity and helps prevent tooth decay. Yogurt is rich in calcium and probiotics, which can help protect you from cavities, gum disease, and even bad breath.
What Types Of Fruits And Vegetables Are Best For Your Oral Health?
Some of the best foods for dental health are fresh fruits and vegetables because of their nutritional and oral health benefits. Crunchy fruits and raw vegetables, such as apples, carrots, and celery, help remove plaque from teeth and freshen your breath.
Many fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin C, which protect gums and other tissues from cellular damage and bacterial infection. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and malic acid, which can even whiten teeth naturally. Make sure your diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as apples, pears, strawberries, pineapples, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, and cucumbers.
Similarly, nuts are good for dental health. They are rich in many essential elements such as calcium and phosphorus. Almonds, Brazil nuts, and cashews are especially beneficial because they help fight tooth decay-causing bacteria.
When it comes to meat, lean protein is best. Oily fish (such as salmon) and tofu are rich in phosphorus, an important mineral that protects tooth enamel. Most meats provide some of the key nutrients listed above, and chewing meat produces saliva. Excess saliva is beneficial because it reduces acidity in the mouth and washes away food particles that can cause tooth decay.
Healthy Balance Is Key
Good dental health can be achieved through a balanced diet, which should include a variety of foods from the major food groups. Timing is just as important as the type of food consumed. Eating sugary, high-carb, or acidic foods only at meal times can reduce the amount of time acid is on your teeth. Additionally, drinking plenty of water during and after meals can help flush away sugar and acid from snacks and meals.
Eating raw vegetables as a snack after meals can help clean teeth and massage gums, producing saliva to wash away food residue. Snacking on healthy options like fruit or vegetables, or a piece of cheese, is also advised. Eating food as part of a meal is less damaging to teeth than many snacks throughout the day, as more saliva is released during the meal. Eating a healthy diet for your teeth is a great addition to regular visits to your dentists. When you’re ready for a professional clean and a check-up exam, consider Vibrant Square Dental.
Vibrant Square Dental has 30 years of experience offering cosmetic, general, and restorative services to Vaughn, Ontario and surrounding communities. If you want to restore your smile’s function or appearance, we are glad to offer the latest technology and the best care possible. Call 905-553-3004 to learn about how we can help you achieve a healthy smile today.
