Did you know that your diet plays an important role in your oral health? Oral bacteria thrives on sugary and starchy foods, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Even with good habits like brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, it can be hard to keep your teeth and gums healthy if you don’t eat good-for-you foods too. A well-balanced diet of proteins, whole grains, calcium-rich dairy, fruits, and vegetables is best for a healthy body and a healthy smile.
In today’s blog post, let’s take a closer look at seven of the best foods for a healthy smile.
1. Cheese
Cheese is one of the best foods for a healthy smile! It’s low in sugar and high in calcium, which is helpful for maintaining bone density. Plus, it contains casein, a protein that’s important for strengthening tooth enamel. Thanks to its high phosphate content, it helps to balance pH levels in the mouth too.
2. Nuts
Nuts are packed with important nutrients — especially walnuts, which contain fiber, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, iron, niacin, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium, and zinc. Almonds, Brazil nuts, and cashews are particularly useful for fighting tooth decay and increasing saliva productions.
3. Crunchy vegetables
Crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery require a lot of chewing, which stimulates the flow of saliva and helps to clean your teeth. Better yet, these crunchy veggies are also filled with important minerals and vitamins, like vitamin C, calcium, and keratins. An added bonus: Thanks to celery’s texture, it’s the closest food to dental floss and works as a natural teeth cleaner.
4. Milk
Besides water (more on that below!), milk is the best beverage to drink for your oral health. Unlike sugary juices or sodas, it’s high in calcium and other important nutritions. Plus, like cheese, it helps to lower the acid levels in the mouth and fight tooth decay.
5. Whole grains
Unlike simple carbohydrates, whole grains don’t stick to your teeth and contribute to cavities. Thanks to the complex carbohydrates in foods like whole wheat bread, brown rice, and oatmeal, they feed oral bacteria less digestible food to grow. They also include other nutrients that help your teeth and gums stay healthy.
6. Meats
Not only is meat packed with nutrients (especially red meat), but it also aids in saliva production, thanks to the increased need for chewing. More saliva, then, decreases your mouth’s acidity and washes away plaque-causing food particles that can eventually lead to decay.
7. Water
You already know that water is important to your overall health. Staying hydrated helps to distribute healthy nutrients around your body, get rid of toxins, keep your muscles lubricated, and give your skin a healthy glow. Plus, it keeps your teeth healthy! In fact, drinking fluoridated water is one of the best ways to prevent cavities. It washes food particles away and keeps your saliva levels high.
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