Chew on This: Foods to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
| 2 min read
Your oral health is more important to your overall health than you might realize, and the foods you eat can have a big impact on how well your teeth and gums are doing. Noshing on too much added sugar can cause tooth decay, leading to cavities or worse. But it goes the opposite direction too: Eating certain healthy foods can be beneficial for your oral health and overall health.
Here’s what to add to your diet to keep your smile in top shape:
- Dairy products: Milk, yogurt and cottage cheese all contain calcium, which strengthens tooth enamel and bones. Dairy products, especially cheese, also contain a protein called casein, which goes even further to strengthen and repair tooth enamel.
- Vitamin C-rich foods: Red peppers, kiwis and sweet potatoes are good sources of vitamin C, which has been shown to be important for gum health. Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit are also high in vitamin C, but they are more acidic, so they aren’t quite as tooth-friendly as other sources.
- High-fiber foods: Green leafy vegetables and other high-fiber foods such as corn, apples and beans require a lot of chewing, making them great for dental health. The saliva and chewing motion help protect against decay by scrubbing the surfaces of your teeth and washing away food particles.
- Lean proteins: Skinless poultry, fish and eggs aren’t just high in protein, but they also happen to be rich in phosphorous, which can help strengthen your teeth.
Which of these foods are you going to start adding to your diet? Tell us in the comments below!
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Photo credit: dragana991
