Oral disease impacts nearly 3.5 billion people around the world. Meanwhile, untreated tooth decay in permanent teeth is the most common health condition worldwide. Adding tooth-healthy foods to your diet could help.
You are what you eat! We’re all told to avoid sugary snacks and candies from a young age. Not many people realize there are foods that can benefit their dental care, though.
Here are 10 tooth-healthy foods that can support teeth health.
Adding these foods to your diet can help you maintain strong, healthy teeth. You can give your teeth the nutrients they need, including magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium.
Give your smile a boost. Choose foods that promote oral health from this list today!
1. Dairy Products
The next time you head to the supermarket, consider adding dairy products to your cart. Cheese, milk, and yogurt all encourage your body to produce more saliva. Saliva can help protect your teeth.
These foods are also high in protein and calcium. Both can help strengthen your teeth.
Try to eat yogurt throughout the week. Yogurt contains probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria. Probiotics can support a healthy digestive system, too.
Try to choose unsweetened or sugar-free products. Instead, consider adding a little honey to your yogurt when you’re at home.
If you’re allergic or sensitive to dairy, that’s okay! There are now plenty of protein- and calcium-fortified nut alternatives available. For example, you can try products made from soy, almond, or cashew milk instead.
Grass-fed dairy products are high in vitamin K2. Your body needs K2 for proper tooth care. Other foods that are high in K2 include beef, eggs, and chicken liver.
These foods are also high in phosphorus, which is great for dental care as well.
2. Leafy Greens
Don’t forget to add vegetables to the menu! Vegetables offer vitamins and minerals, which can help your body produce more saliva. Saliva can help clean harmful bacteria from your teeth.
It can help keep your enamel healthy, too.
Try adding leafy greens such as chard, spinach, and kale to your shopping cart. These foods are high in vitamins and minerals. At the same time, they’re low in calories, benefiting your overall health.
These vegetables are also dense in B vitamins, folic acid, and calcium.
Greens contain beneficial prebiotics, too. Healthy oral bacteria feed on prebiotics to benefit your mouth. They can leave your teeth feeling clean while supporting a healthy oral microbiome.
Your mouth and cardiovascular system could benefit from the increase in nitric oxide, too.
You can add your favorite leafy greens to a salad or smoothie. Try to avoid heavy dressings or toppings, though.
3. Cacao Nibs
Do you have a sweet tooth? You don’t need a chocolate bar to sate your cravings. Instead, consider cacao nibs.
Cacao nibs and dark chocolate contain very little to no sugar. They could help prevent cavities by keeping harmful oral bacteria in check. They could stop plaque from forming against your teeth as well.
In fact, the polyphenols in cocoa could kill cavity-causing bacteria while creating a barrier between your teeth and plaque, too. A cocoa bean mouth rinse could destroy S. mutans bacteria, which is responsible for creating cavities, as well.
4. Fatty Fish
Fatty fish like salmon is high in vitamin D. Vitamin D could reduce your risk of tooth decay. If you’re looking for tooth-healthy foods, try salmon, tuna, mackerel, and trout.
These fish are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fats support gum health. They might help prevent periodontitis (gum disease), too.
If your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth, consider adding more fish to your diet.
5. Citrus Fruits
Some acidic foods can have a negative effect on your dental care. Oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits could benefit your teeth, though.
These fruits are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C can strengthen the connective tissues and blood vessels in your mouth. It could help slow the progression of gum disease, too.
6. Apples
An apple a day keeps the doctor away (or in this case, the dentist).
Apples are high in water and dietary fiber. Chewing on an apple can trigger saliva production. Remember, saliva can help rinse away harmful bacteria from your mouth.
The apple skin’s crisp texture could stimulate your gums, too.
7. Carrots
Most people recognize carrots for their ability to benefit eye health. They could support teeth health, too.
Raw carrots can act as a natural toothbrush. They can scrub food and bacteria away from the surface of your teeth, preventing plaque buildup. They might massage your gums, stimulating blood circulation, too.
Meanwhile, carrots are high in carotene and vitamin A. Vitamin A can benefit your tooth enamel.
8. Green Tea
As you add these tooth-healthy foods to your diet, don’t forget to consider the beverages you drink as well. Instead of a sugary energy drink, pour yourself a cup of soothing green tea.
Green tea can help keep your gums and teeth healthy. Drinking tea could lower the instance of advanced gum disease as well.
Green tea is rich in catechin. This antioxidant could reduce the inflammation associated with gum disease.
9. Celery
As with apples and carrots, celery can also scrub your teeth clean. It’s also rich in both vitamin A and C. Remember, these vitamins could benefit your tooth care.
Vitamin A and C are antioxidants that can keep your gums healthy, too.
10. Water
It’s not enough to add healthy food to your diet. You need to keep your body hydrated, too. Water can help rinse bacteria in food debris from your mouth.
Otherwise, debris can cause plaque formation and tooth decay.
Consider drinking fluoridated water. Fluoride can help prevent cavities and demineralization, which could weaken your tooth enamel.
Take a Bite: 10 Tooth-Healthy Foods for Great Dental Care
Keep your teeth healthy and strong! Consider adding these 10 tooth-healthy foods to your diet. The foods can improve your teeth health and overall health.
Give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs with these foods today!