The foods you eat are an essential part of oral care. Too much sugary food can permanently impact your teeth’s health, and as with the rest of your body, your diet is what gives your teeth the strength they need to look and feel their best.
Next to a regular oral hygiene routine, the best way to care for your healthy teeth is to quit intaking excess sugars, sugar-free fizzy drinks, and utilise a toothpaste that contains fluoride, according to the British Dental Association.
What you eat has an impactful effect on your dental health because your teeth require specific nutrients to remain healthy and fight off the plaque that destroys tooth enamel. Here are five foods you can consume for a healthy, vibrant smile.
- Vitamin-rich foods
Choosing to consume foods rich in vitamins is a great way to keep your tooth enamel strong and healthy. Food that is high in calcium and phosphorus are excellent for supporting your teeth. This means eating foods like cheese, almonds, leafy greens, meat, eggs, and fish—calcium and phosphate help to redeposit minerals into lesions on teeth caused by acidic foods. Calcium is also essential for building strong bones, which is essential for the jaw.
If you have dietary restrictions that prevent you from consuming many foods in one of these categories, talk to your doctor about a vitamin supplement to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need.
Foods with Fluoride
Foods with naturally occurring fluoride can help fight plaque buildup and protect your teeth. Powdered juices and dehydrated soups are high in fluoride and poultry products, seafood, and powdered cereals. Understanding which foods and beverages contain fluoride and how much can help you manage your exposure to fluoride as a way to help your teeth stay healthy.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral used by dentists to strengthen teeth. Dermal Fillers in Solihull can also help enhance your smile.
Dairy Products like Cheese, Milk, Yoghurt
Dairy products like cheese, milk, and yoghurt are high in vitamins calcium and phosphate, which are essential nutrients for strong, healthy teeth. Cheese naturally stimulates saliva flow in the mouth, which can combat symptoms of dry mouth. Saliva fights off plaque buildup on the teeth because of its alkaline properties, which means that consuming cheese can improve your teeth health.
The nutrients of phosphate and calcium can also help rebuild damaged tooth enamel, leading to healthier, whiter teeth.
Green and Black Tea
Green and black tea produce polyphenols which kill and suppress plaque bacteria in your mouth. Tea suppresses the activity of acid-producing bacteria in the mouth, preventing the bacteria from feeding on sugars and destroying your tooth enamel. Drinking tea with your meal or after can help reduce this activity and keep your teeth healthier.
Tea is non-erosive, making it an excellent alternative to soft drinks whose sugars can promote tooth decay. Some studies even suggest drinking green tea can reduce the risks of oral cancers. For tea to remain a healthy choice for your teeth, you’ll have to drink it without any added sugars or sweeteners.
Fish
Getting enough calcium is essential to your oral health. But your body can’t absorb calcium without the presence of vitamin D. An excellent source of Vitamin D is fatty fish like salmon or trout. Besides the additional health benefits of Vitamin D, your body can absorb calcium better and fight disease through healthy gums and teeth.
Fish also contains high levels of Omega-3, which is proven to have anti-inflammatory properties. A diet high in salmon consumption, herring, anchovies, and sardines can provide benefits of reduced gum inflammation, which is essential in preventing periodontal diseases.
Some individuals prefer to take a fish oil supplement to reap the benefits of omega-3, but where possible, consuming the fish provides more nutritional perks, including vitamin D, protein, and improved cardiovascular health.
Oral Care
While eating these foods can help keep your teeth in good health, this is no substitution for a proper oral care routine. Reducing the amount of sugar you consume and choosing foods that are healthy for your teeth is a great way to maintain oral health.
Keeping up with dentist visits and brushing your teeth twice daily for two minutes, flossing and using mouthwash is essential to a healthy mouth and a bright white smile.
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