Foods to Maintain Strong and Healthy Teeth
We all know that regular brushing and flossing help us maintain a healthy and beautiful smile. But, did you also know that what you eat not only affects your physical wellbeing but can also have a direct influence on your oral health? Having strong and pearly white teeth makes you look more attractive and allows you to perform important dental functions, such as eating and speaking. This article discusses various foods that can help you strengthen your teeth and ensure they keep sparkling throughout life.
What Foods Are Good For My Teeth?
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, eating foods rich in nutrients and essential minerals helps keep our teeth and gums healthy. Here is a list of foods that are good for your teeth:
Calcium-rich Foods
Calcium is among the building blocks of our teeth and bones. Food items such as fat-free or low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt, fortified soymilk help keep our bones and teeth strong. Some other good dietary sources of calcium include dark-green leafy vegetables, canned salmon, tofu, and almonds.
Phosphorus
Like calcium, phosphorus is also an integral component of our bones. Both calcium and phosphorus prevent our teeth from becoming soft and weak. Phosphorus is a mineral that is commonly found in poultry, fish, meat, dairy, beans, and nuts.
Essential Vitamins
Vitamins are also essential for keeping our teeth and gums healthy. For example, vitamin C is vital for gum health, and it also helps in the quick healing of wounds. Vitamin D is a component of our bones and teeth and helps strengthen them. Similarly, Vitamin A is a crucial nutrient that is pivotal in developing the outer protective layer of our teeth, the dental enamel. Vitamins are commonly found in fruits and green vegetables.
Fiber-rich Foods
Besides being abundant in essential minerals and nutrients, green vegetables and fruits also play a protective role in oral hygiene maintenance. According to the American Dental Association, these foods are rich in fiber which perform a mechanical cleansing action, preventing plaque and tartar deposition. At the same time, these foods increase the production and release of saliva, which bathes our teeth and keeps them clean.
Foods That Are Not Teeth-Friendly
According to the American Dental Association, sugar-containing foods and drinks are the worst enemies of our teeth. Empty-calorie foods like sweets, cookies, and bakery products have no nutritious value. They also tend to stick to our teeth and promote plaque and calculus formation, the first step in developing gum disease and teeth cavities. Similarly, high-sugar drinks constantly keep our teeth bathed in sugars, hours after their intake. Furthermore, many soft drinks are acidic; their excessive intake can cause tooth erosion leading to sensitivity and tooth decay. While some foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes are nutritious, their excessive intake is harmful to our teeth as they are acid and can destroy the dental enamel. That is why it is recommended that you eat these foods only as part of a meal, and not separately.
What Are The Recommended Nutritional Guidelines?
The recommended nutritional guidelines vary among people based on their age, gender, level of physical activity, and other health-related factors. If you would like to know more about a healthy and nutritious diet plan suitable for your health needs, you can visit the Canadian Government’s Food Guide website here.
The famous old saying “we are what we eat” also holds for our oral health. Together with ensuring optimal oral hygiene through brushing, flossing, and regular family dentistry practice visits, maintaining a healthy balanced diet will go a long way in keeping us healthy and fit and ensuring that we maintain a healthy, beautiful, and lasting smile. If you want to know more, you can visit your nearest family dentistry practice for dietary and nutritional advice.
We wish you a healthy and sparkling white smile from the team at Sky Dental!
