Some of the Best Foods for Your Teeth
A Healthy Foods List for a Healthy Smile
When it comes to the health of your teeth and gums, oral hygiene plays a big role. In addition to following a proper oral health cleaning routine, it is also important to be conscious of the foods one eats as well, since this also plays a role in oral health. This list of orally healthy foods can be used to not only help improve your oral health, but also improve your overall diet and wellness!
Yogurt – Yogurt is high in protein and calcium, which makes it great for helping maintain strong teeth. Yogurt also contains healthy bacteria known as probiotics, which also benefits the gums. These good bacteria help to minimize the bacteria in the mouth that can cause cavities. When adding yogurt to your diet, make sure to choose plain yogurt varieties without any added sugars.
Cheese – Much like yogurt, cheese is high in protein and calcium, which helps strengthen teeth and tooth enamel. Additionally, consuming cheese helps increase the pH level in the mouth, which helps to lower one’s risk of tooth decay, and chewing cheese also increases saliva production, which washes away bacteria and debris that can cause tooth decay.
Greens – Leafy greens are full of minerals and vitamins while also being low in calories. Kale and spinach are known to promote better oral health given they are high in calcium, thereby helping build the teeth’s enamel. Additionally, these foods contain folic acid, which is a type of B vitamin with numerous health benefits including helping to treat gum disease in certain oral health patients.
Almonds – Almonds are a great food for promoting oral health, since they are high in protein and calcium while also being very low in sugar. A quarter of a cup of almonds for a snack or adding them to a salad or stir-fry dinner can not only help keep teeth healthy and strong, but they can also help keep you full until your next meal.
Celery – While celery may get a bad rap for being “bland,” full of strings, and rather watery, celery is actually beneficial for acting like a natural toothbrush when eaten. Chewing celery can help scrape food and bacterial from the teeth in-between brushing. Additionally, celery is a good source of vitamin A and C, which are two antioxidants that can give your gums a healthy boost.
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