Foods That Support a Healthy Smile

Did you know that your diet has an impact on your dental health? Here’s everything you need to know about eating habits that are good for your teeth and gums.

Calcium-Rich Dietary Supplements

Getting enough calcium in your diet can help you have strong bones and teeth, which are both important for good dental health. Cheese, yoghurt, milk, leafy, dark green vegetables, fish, beans, and peas are all good choices. Juices, cereals, almond milk, and soy milk are other foods that frequently contain calcium.

Including vitamin D in your diet aids your body’s utilisation of calcium. Mushrooms, cheese, salmon, tuna, beef liver, swordfish, and egg yolks are all high in vitamin D. Many foods fortified with calcium are also fortified with vitamin D.

Phosphorous-Rich Foods

Phosphorus also contributes to a healthy smile. Phosphorus can be found in lean meats, nuts, dairy, beans, eggs, and fish – or, if you’re feeling particularly daring, a catalogue of high-phosphorous recipes can be found here.

Vitamin C-Containing Foods

It is impossible to have healthy teeth unless you care for your gums, which hold your teeth in place. Vitamin C acts as a foundation for healthy gums, promoting strong connective tissue and lowering the risk of periodontal disease and bleeding gums. Vitamin C is found in red peppers, citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, potatoes, brussel sprouts, and tomatoes.

Fruits That are Fibrous

Hard fibrous fruits, such as pears and apples, can help support a healthy smile in two ways:

The crunchy texture helps physically clean your teeth between meals, and increased salivation neutralises acids in your mouth, lowering your risk of tooth decay.

That means, in this case, an apple a day keeps the doctor (or the dentist) away!

Foods that Energize Your Body

Your dental health is intertwined with your overall health and well-being. When you get the hydration and nutrition you need to fight infections, heal from injuries, and grow normally (children and teenagers), you set yourself up for dental success as well.

That means you can follow common sense when it comes to eating for dental health: choose foods and beverages that fuel your body. Drink water instead of sugary soft drinks, and eat fresh fruits and vegetables instead of pre-packaged snacks. It is not impossible to eat for dental health, and small, healthy choices add up quickly.

Polyphenols

Polyphenols, which can be found in coffee, tea, cranberries, and raisins, are also good for your teeth. They protect your cells from damage, reduce inflammation, and disrupt plaque formation, potentially lowering your risk of cavities. As a reminder, coffee and tea can stain, so brush or rinse after drinking a cup!

A Lot of Water

Drinking water throughout the day can assist in rinsing acid, sugar, and debris from your teeth and gum line, thereby preventing staining and decay. Rinsing after sugary drinks, meals, and snacks is particularly beneficial.

To learn more about how to care for your smile or to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly staff today! Find your nearest Dental office today to make an appointment with one of our dentists. You can also learn about foods that can harm your teeth by reading our related blog post.