Posted on May 09, 2019
Taking care of your oral health is so much more than just regularly brushing and flossing your teeth. In fact, it begins with what you eat.
Choosing simple, every day, healthy foods can have a positive impact on not only your overall health, but it can prevent tooth decay, too. Here are five healthy foods to start incorporating into your diet today!
Fruits & Vegetables
Some fruits and vegetables are full of fibre that can actually clean your teeth similar to how your toothbrush does. Because they require extra chewing, saliva production is stimulated which fights germs, reduces your risk of cavities and prevents bad breath.
Leafy greens such as spinach and kale are chock full of vitamins and minerals, in addition to being low in calories. Teeth enamel is produced from their high calcium content, and the folic acid contained within them also has a range of health benefits.
Crunchy celery scrapes foot particles and bacteria away from your mouth while being a good source of Vitamin A and C. These antioxidants boost the health of your gums. Like celery, carrots are also a great source of Vitamin A.
Although oranges contain citric acid, their Vitamin C strengthens blood vessels and connective tissue and reduces inflammation, slowing down gum disease.
Apples are another great fruit to eat due to their fibre and water contents. Ending your meal with an apple can provide your mouth with a good scrubbing!
Cheese and Reducing Acid Erosion
Besides being delicious, cheese increases the pH in your mouth, combats acid erosion of teeth and lowers the risk of tooth decay. In addition, tooth enamel is strengthened by the calcium and protein found in cheese.
Due to its positive effects on acid erosion, it’s recommended to eat cheese following a meal filled with bread, sweets, citrus or soda.
Water, Tea and Healthy Teeth
If you don’t drink enough water, your saliva can thicken, causing a range of oral health issues. But when saliva has an optimal level of water, breakdown of food becomes easier, bacterial acid becomes neutralized, and tooth decay can be prevented. Plaque is even reduced since water rinses away food debris!
After drinking coffee or having stained foods, rinse with water to prevent staining.
The polyphenols found in green and black tea help to kill plaque-causing bacteria. Ending a meal with a cup of tea is a great way to suppress acid producing bacteria found in your mouth.
Fish and Dental Health
Although calcium is necessary to protect your teeth and gums from disease, Vitamin D is required to help with its absorption. Salmon and other fatty fish are a great source of Vitamin D!
Almonds and Your Teeth
For a healthy snack that’s low in sugar, enjoy almonds, which are also a good source of calcium and protein. Try adding a handful of slivered almonds to a salad or a stir-fry! You'll want to avoid raw almonds that are hard as you can chip or crack a tooth on them.
When it comes to your oral health, small changes can make a big difference. Contact us at Creek View Dental for more oral health hygiene tips.