Processed sugar, as we all know, is every dentist’s mortal enemy. Many dental professionals start scaring their patients with horror stories about candy as soon as they’re old enough to floss. And yet, there are plenty of foods that are good for oral health and receive far less attention than all the sodas and sticky desserts that aren’t.
Below we have a list of food that is good for your teeth:
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Milk, cheese, plain yogurt and other dairy products are rich in phosphorous and calcium, two of the most important minerals for healthy teeth. These substances are vital for the remineralisation of enamel, the strong, protective tissue that coats the outside of teeth. Enamel is constantly being worn down by physical erosion and acidic decay, but a diet with plenty of calcium and phosphates will help your body’s own natural maintenance processes. Certain cheeses and yogurt in particular also contain casein, an important protein in enamel growth.
FATTY FISH
All the calcium in the world is no good if you can’t use it. Atlantic mackerel and wild salmon are some of the best natural food sources of vitamin D, which helps your body absorb and appropriate the calcium you get from the rest of your diet.
EAT YOUR FRUITS AND VEGGIES
Firm, fibrous fruits and greens function on several levels of oral hygiene.
Citrusy, acidic fruits actually strip the teeth of their enamel. But vitamin C is important for promoting blood vessel and connective tissue growth in gums and has been shown to help fighting gingivitis. Oranges are a good option, because they tend to be less acidic than limes, grapefruits and other citrus fruits, and eating them with meals can help balance the acidity. Strawberries are also high in vitamin C, and contain collagen, a protein that strengthens gums.
The same minerals in spinach that give Poppey his muscles also make teeth strong. Iron in particular forms a film around teeth which helps prevent acid decay.
Furthermore, the tough, fibrous texture of many fruits and vegetables scrubs plaque, and the heavy chewing involved in breaking them down encourages saliva production, which neutralizes damaging acids and enzymes, encourages remineralization and prevents bacteria build up.
YOU’D HAVE TO BE NUTTY NOT TO
Between fiber, caclium, vitamin E, iron, thiamine, magnesium and potassium, nuts like peanuts, walnuts and almonds are loaded with many of the same crucial vitamins found in leafy greens like broccoli. All that chewing is also good for saliva production.
DRINK UP
Ok, so water isn’t exactly a food, but it is part of a good dental health diet. Drinking lots of water washes out food articles and is another good way to keep saliva production up. Tap water has also been found to have the ideal levels of fluoride to prevent plaque formation.
ALL PART OF A BALANCED BREAKFAST
You might notice that most of these suggestions pop up frequently in general discussions of healthy eating, and that’s no accident. Dental disease has been strongly linked to heart problems, diabetes, obesity and other graver health concerns, so when in doubt, eating a healthy, mixed diet overall is probably a good way to stave off a trip to the Los Angeles dentist.