Your dentist may have told you countless times about the need to maintain your dental health with proper brushing and flossing. However, those are not the only essential aspects. The foods you consume also affect your oral health, either positively, or negatively. In this article, you will learn about the foods you can eat to improve your oral health.
By now, you probably already know that certain foods can damage your teeth. Red wine and sugary drinks can stain your teeth and cause decay, acidic drinks degrade your tooth enamel and starchy foods leave unwanted debris in your mouth. Here are foods you should include as part of your dental health diet.
5 Foods to choose for better dental health
1. Apples
Interestingly, consuming apples daily does not only keep the doctor away — it can stop dental issues, too. Apples have high water content and eating them promotes saliva production, which contributes to reducing the bacteria and food debris lingering in the mouth. Apples also have fibers that stimulate the gums and work as an astringent to brighten the teeth. Eat the apple unpeeled, as most of its benefits are found in the skin.
2. Coconut
Coconut has natural antiviral and antifungal properties, which makes it remarkably effective for treating tooth decay, stopping bad breath, healing gum bleeding and whitening teeth. Oil pulling is an excellent way to get the best oral benefits from coconuts, but including it in your diet also helps.
3. Leafy greens
Leafy greens have a high vitamin and mineral content with low calories. The vitamins and antioxidants found in these vegetables inhibit cavities and can also add calcium to the body for healthy teeth. Great examples include Swiss chard, collard greens, kale and spinach.
If you are not getting enough veggies in your diet, consider including them in your morning smoothie, getting them on your pizza, making baked green chips or creating a sandwich with them.
4. Dairy
Calcium is just as beneficial for the teeth as it is for the bones. Calcium deficiency in the body can cause cavities because the mineral helps preserve the tooth’s structure. Having enough calcium in your body will not only help strengthen your teeth but also aid in the remineralization process. Major sources of calcium include dairy products, such as yogurt and kefir.
5. Nuts
Nuts, including cashews, walnuts and almonds, are all excellent choices for good dental health. These nuts contain different minerals and vitamins that are beneficial to the teeth, and the chewing process of breaking them down increases saliva production in your mouth to keep your mouth clean.
Nuts also often contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help to strengthen the teeth and promote healthy gum tissues. They also have a high protein content, which vegans and vegetarians will like. You should note, however, that while nuts are healthy for consumption, they are high in fat, so make sure not to eat them excessively.
In conclusion
Your dental health depends on the meals you consume. You can keep your teeth and good shape by selecting foods that help promote the health and luster of your pearly whites.
Request an appointment here: https://sinhafamilydentistry.com or call Sinha Family Dentistry at (314) 843-5533 for an appointment in our St. Louis office.
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