When it comes to your oral health, you’ve probably received a lot of information about what not to eat and drink in order to maintain a healthy, bright white smile. Sugary treats, sticky sweets, and foods that are hard and crunchy can all cause decay or chip and break your pearly whites.
Well, we’ve got good news for you! There are still plenty of foods that will please your palate while helping you build stronger, healthier teeth. So instead of focusing on the can’ts and shouldn’ts, take a moment to find out what you can and should be feasting on…in an effort to keep your teeth healthy, of course.
Wine and Cheese: Break out the wine and cheese, because this is news worth celebrating! New studies have found that the calcium in dairy products lowers the pH levels in your mouth, helping to fight plaque, prevent cavities, and protect enamel. Eating dairy also increases your production of saliva, which is great for keeping your teeth clean! Pair it with some wine to knock out tooth decay and cavities with a good old-fashioned one-two punch.
That’s right, researchers are saying that wine fights cavities too! The antioxidants present in the grape seed extract reduce cavities by improving overall oral health. And wine’s ability to stay on teeth (substantivity) gives the antioxidants time to work their magic and fight harmful bacteria.
Fiber-Rich Fruits and Veggies: Fiber-rich fruits and veggies are like cleansers for your mouth. Crisp fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots actually help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath. These tooth-decay-fighting foods are also saliva producers. Saliva, which washes away food and neutralizes acid, is your best natural defense against cavities.
Fresh Fish: Eat in style! Salmon and Atlantic mackerel dishes are not only delicious, they are packed with vitamin D, which is key for maintaining excellent oral health. It allows your body to absorb calcium, which strengthens and protects your bones and teeth.
Kiwi and Strawberries: These fruits are like nature’s candy: colorful, sweet, and packed with vitamin C. The kiwi has so much vitamin C that eating just one supplies more than 100 percent of the recommended daily amount. Vitamin C is critical to the health of your gum and oral tissue. When you don’t get enough, these vulnerable tissues begin to break down, causing them to bleed and ache, and leaving them vulnerable to decay.
Want to find out more about how nutrition affects your oral health? Call Creekside Dental at (360) 695-1515 today and set up your next appointment.
