When it comes to the health of your teeth, we all know what we shouldn’t eat, sugary snacks, fizzy drinks and an excess of fruit juice can be harmful to our teeth and the enamel that protects our teeth, below we outline some foods that are good for the health of your teeth and gums and hopefully keep you smiling.
Use this healthy foods list to improve your diet and the health of your mouth.
Cheese
As we mentioned in a previous post Taking Care of Your Teeth at Christmas Cheese is good for your teeth. Cheese helps to return the mouth to its natural acid balance and help reduce the chances of developing tooth decay. It’s also thought that the chewing required to eat cheese increases saliva in the mouth. Cheese also contains calcium and protein, nutrients that strengthen tooth enamel.
Yogurt
Like cheese, yogurt is high in calcium and protein, which makes it a good pick for the strength and health of your teeth. The probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, found in yogurt also benefit your gums because the good bacteria crowd out bacteria that cause cavities. However choosing the type of yoghurt is important, choose a plain variety with no added sugar.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are full of vitamins and minerals while being low in calories. Leafy greens such as kale and spinach also promote oral health. They’re high in calcium, which builds your teeth’s enamel. If you have trouble getting leafy greens into your diet, add a handful of baby spinach to your next salad or throw some kale on a pizza. You can also try adding some greens to a smoothie.
Apples
Apples deserve to be called “nutritional powerhouses”. They contain the following important nutrients, Vitamin C, B Complex vitamins, dietary fibre as well as minerals, calcium and potassium. The action of eating an apple produces saliva in your mouth, which rinses away bacteria and food particles. The fibrous texture of the fruit also stimulates the gums, so eating an apple as a dessert is a good way to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Carrots
Like apples, carrots are crunchy and full of fiber. Eating a handful of raw carrots at the end of the meal increases saliva production in your mouth, which reduces your risk of cavities. Along with being high in fiber, carrots are a great source of vitamin A. Carrots are also great to eat as a snack between meals, they’re full of goodness and they won’t ruin your appetite between meals. A prefect snack we think.
Celery
We know celery isn’t exactly exciting compared to apples and carrots but it’s another good snack to have between meals. It’s also a good source of vitamins A and C, two antioxidants that give the health of your gums a boost. Want to liven up your celery why not use it with a dip such as hummus!
Almonds
Almonds are great for your teeth because they are a good source of calcium and protein while being low in sugar. Enjoy some almonds with your lunch. Or how about adding a handful to a salad or to a stir-fry dinner.
Along with adding more leafy greens, dairy products and fibrous vegetables to your diet, pay attention to what you’re drinking. Since it has no calories or sugar, water is always the best pick, especially compared to juice or soda.
Your diet makes a big difference when it comes to a healthy smile.
