Here’s What You Need to Eat for Strong, Healthy Teeth

A beautiful smile doesn’t just come naturally. It takes effort to maintain pearly whites, not to mention look healthy and attractive. find the vertex ashfield dentist Being able to trust us with your oral care needs is an absolutely critical step. Then you must do your part to protect healthy teeth.

• Calcium is the foundation of healthy teeth and bones. It helps keep your enamel strong and repairs minor damage that may be caused by acids. Dairy products such as cheese, milk, and yogurt are great sources if you want to add more calcium to your diet. If you’re lactose intolerant or vegan, don’t worry, you can get calcium from tofu, spinach, kale, almonds, as well as calcium-fortified plant-based milk alternatives.

• Phosphorus works with calcium to keep teeth and bones strong. You can get this nutrient from protein-rich foods such as poultry, meat, eggs, fish, and dairy products.

• Although vitamin D is not a direct component of your teeth, it is essential for your body to effectively absorb and use the calcium you ingest. You can get vitamin D from sunlight, but you can also eat vitamin D-fortified foods such as cereal and milk, and fatty fish such as tuna and salmon.

• In addition to incorporating nutrients into your diet that act as the building blocks of healthy teeth, you can also eat certain foods that actually help fight gum disease and cavities.

• Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables help stimulate saliva production. Saliva acts as a natural mouthwash, neutralizing acids, washing away food particles, and delivering minerals to your teeth. Snacking on crunchy foods like carrots, apples, and celery can act as a natural scrubber and help remove plaque and food particles from the surfaces of your teeth.

• Dairy products such as cheese contain casein, a protein that helps neutralize acids in your mouth. Dairy products also stimulate saliva production.

• Green tea is a popular drink that contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants that reduce plaque formation and prevent the development of periodontal disease. It also contains fluoride, an important mineral for maintaining dental health.

• Although water is often overlooked, drinking water and staying hydrated can also help maintain oral health. Water helps keep your mouth clean by washing away bacteria and food particles and maintaining saliva production.

• If you want to avoid cavities, sugar is your biggest enemy. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and can produce acids that erode tooth enamel, so if you don’t want to avoid sugar completely, try to minimize your sugar intake. Soda, candy, and fruit juices can be very harmful because they can coat your teeth and provide bacteria with a constant diet of sugar.

• While some acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, can provide your body with the nutrients it needs, consuming too many acidic foods and drinks can also erode your tooth enamel. If you must eat, eat in moderation and be sure to rinse your mouth with water after eating acidic foods.

• Sticky foods like dried fruit and caramel stick to your teeth and create a breeding ground for bacteria that can eat away at your enamel, just like soda can. Be sure to brush your teeth after eating these snacks.

Photo: Charlotte May