When it comes to maintaining oral health, there’s so much you can do. For instance, it’s recommended that you switch to a new toothbrush once every three months, according to the CDC. You should also use toothpaste that contains fluoride, floss, and make sure that you visit your dentist regularly — but that’s not all! Additionally, you can make the effort to be conscious of what you’re eating. That’s because nutrition can also have a positive, or negative, impact on your oral health. Keep reading to find out about foods that can benefit your oral health.
Dairy Products
Dairy products like cheese, milk, and plain yogurt are some of the top foods to eat if you want to have healthy teeth. For starters, they are very rich in calcium, which is a well-known mineral associated with healthy teeth and bones. Cheese also contains casein, a protein that helps to strengthen tooth enamel. On top of that, cheese contains high levels of phosphate, which helps to regulate pH inside the mouth while also fortifying tooth enamel. Not only that, but when you chew cheese, it stimulates saliva production that helps to clean away bacteria inside the mouth.
Milk also contains calcium and other nutrients. It helps prevent tooth decay by reducing the acid levels in the mouth. Finally, yogurt is packed with calcium and probiotics that help fight all sorts of things, from cavities and gum disease to bad breath.
Leafy Greens and Fruits
While leafy greens and fruits are already recommended to help boost the immune system, they can also be good for your teeth, specifically. That’s because they’re rich in nutrients such as calcium, folic acid, and essential vitamins that keep your teeth and gums healthy. Eating fresh and crunchy greens also helps to clean your teeth. In the same vein, fibrous fruits like apples help to stimulate the production of saliva, and this helps to neutralize acids that cause tooth decay.
Water
There’s a reason why water is part of a healthy diet. Your body is made up of at least 60% water, and drinking as much water as possible keeps you hydrated and helps improve your oral health. This is especially so if the water contains fluoride – a mineral that’s known to fight cavities well. Additionally, water helps to clean the mouth by washing food particles away and maintaining healthy levels of saliva.
This information will help maintain your oral health. However, keep in mind that eating the right foods doesn’t replace a dentist visit, so get in touch with Thomas Dentistry!
