The Best Foods For A Healthy Smile
You’ve probably heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” This is especially true for your teeth and gums. The starchy or sugary foods we enjoy are also favorites of the bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
The difference between a healthy smile and frequent trips to the dentist largely depends on your diet. Even with a solid oral hygiene routine—brushing twice a day and flossing once daily—keeping your teeth healthy long-term can be challenging.
Which Foods are Best for Teeth and Gum Health?
Some of the top foods for a healthy mouth are fresh fruits and vegetables, thanks to their high nutritional value and natural teeth-cleaning benefits. Calcium-rich foods, such as low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, cheese, fortified soy drinks, tofu, canned salmon, almonds, and dark green leafy vegetables, promote strong teeth and bones. Chewing crunchy foods stimulates saliva production, which, along with water, helps wash away plaque-causing bacteria and food particles.
Cheese, Milk, and Yogurt
Cheese is one of the top foods for a healthy mouth for several reasons. It is low in sugar and high in calcium, and contains casein, a protein that helps fortify tooth enamel. The high calcium content supports bone density, while the phosphate in cheese helps balance pH levels in the mouth, preserving tooth enamel. Additionally, chewing cheese increases saliva production, which helps wash away bacteria.
Besides fluoridated water, milk is the best drink for your teeth. It is rich in calcium and other essential nutrients and lowers acid levels in the mouth, helping to fight tooth decay.
Yogurt is also beneficial, as it is packed with calcium and probiotics that protect against cavities, gum disease, and even bad breath.
Water
Water stands out as the healthiest drink available. Our bodies are composed of 60% water, and staying hydrated helps distribute nutrients, eliminate waste, maintain healthy skin, and keep muscles functioning. Drinking water also significantly benefits your teeth, especially if it’s fluoridated. Fluoridated water, known as “nature’s cavity fighter,” helps prevent cavities. Additionally, water washes away food particles and maintains high saliva levels, promoting oral health.
Leafy Greens (Spinach, Lettuce, Kale)
Super healthy leafy greens are rich in calcium, folic acid, and essential vitamins and minerals that benefit your teeth and gums. Crunchy fresh greens in salads and sandwiches also help clean your teeth.
Apples and Pears
Will an apple a day keep the dentist away? Maybe not entirely, but it certainly helps. Eating apples and other hard, fibrous fruits can clean your teeth and increase saliva production, which neutralizes the citric and malic acids left in your mouth. While sugary apple juice can contribute to tooth decay, fresh apples are less likely to cause problems. Chewing the fibrous texture of apples stimulates your gums, reduces cavity-causing bacteria, and increases saliva flow.
Unlike many acidic fruits, raw pears effectively neutralize acids in your mouth that cause decay.
Nuts
Nuts offer numerous health benefits for your teeth, being rich in essential elements like calcium and phosphorus. Almonds, Brazil nuts, and cashews are particularly beneficial as they help fight bacteria that cause tooth decay. Peanuts are a great source of calcium and vitamin D, while almonds provide significant amounts of calcium, supporting teeth and gums. Cashews stimulate saliva production, and walnuts are packed with fiber, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, niacin, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium, and zinc.
Top Foods for a Healthy Mouth
A diet that promotes good oral health involves not just what you eat, but also when and how you eat. One effective way to protect your teeth is by eating raw foods at the end of meals. These foods help clean teeth, massage gums, and stimulate saliva production, which washes away any remaining food particles. Dr. Hackley and our knowledgeable and compassionate staff are dedicated to helping you create and maintain a smile you love. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!