Oral health goes beyond simply brushing and flossing your teeth. It includes everything that passes through your lips and into your body. Even if you are brushing and flossing twice a day, if you are not eating well, your teeth are still at risk of developing decay or other problems.
We wondered what kind of a diet does help your teeth. We asked Elm Hill Dentistry for some insight and this is what we discovered.
Calcium-Rich Food
The best-known type of foods out there that help teeth are foods that are rich in calcium. Calcium works by absorbing itself into your bones, including your jaw and your teeth, strengthening them. Some calcium-rich foods that are out there include milk, cheese, yogurt, almonds, leafy-green vegetables, and even some meats. Healthy bones can mean healthy teeth.
Vitamin D
You might have noticed that a lot of dairy products are fortified with Vitamin D. This is because Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium better. Beyond dairy products, Vitamin D is also found in fish, eggs, and even mushrooms.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C can also help keep your teeth healthy. You might have already known that Vitamin C helps boost your immune system, but it can also battle the bacteria within your mouth to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. You will find Vitamin C in many citrus fruits, but the acid from the fruits can also be harmful to your teeth. It is also found in peppers, tomatoes, spinach, and potatoes.
Phosphorus-Rich Food
Phosphorus is another mineral that will absorb into your bones to help make them stronger. Foods that have phosphorus within them are lean meats, fish, eggs, diary, and even nuts.
Specific Foods
Let’s take a moment and look at which specific foods can help you maintain your oral health. Some of the best foods that you can eat for your teeth include the following:
- Cheese: A dairy product that has casein, which is good for stabilizing or repairing your tooth enamel. Make sure that the cheese that you are eating is high in calcium though, because not all cheese has it in there.
- Carrots: Raw carrots will clean your teeth as you bite into them. They require a lot of work to chew, which will help keep your teeth as clean and healthy as possible.
- Leafy Greens: Leafy greens are incredibly good for your body as well as your teeth. They are typically full of fiber. Fiber requires a lot of chewing to really break it down enough to swallow. While you chew, your mouth will create more saliva, which will help keep your teeth as clean as possible. The greens will also neutralize any acid that might be in your mouth as well. Beans can offer a similar benefit if you are not keen on greens, but they also might upset your stomach.
- Salmon: Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids, but it also has a lot of Vitamin D. Not all fish is as healthy as salmon is, so you should try to get salmon if it is available where you are at. If you opt for another fish, just make sure that it also has a reliable amount of nutrition.
- Green Tea: While you might argue that tea isn’t food, we have included it anyway. Green tea is full of antioxidants that will help keep your body as healthy as possible. Many teas have natural fluoride in them which will build up your enamel’s strengths.
Remember that your mouth is the gateway to your body. Pay attention to what you are putting in it to keep yourself as healthy as possible. If, however, you already have damaged or missing teeth due to poor oral care, you can check out dental implants in cordova to get them replaced.