If you’re looking to incorporate some foods into your diet to help your oral health, you’re in the right place! We’re here to introduce four different types of foods that will help to keep your teeth, mouth and gums healthy (along with regular visits to your dentist Solihull, Southampton or Soho based!). Luckily, these foods are also great for your health in general, so it’s a win-win! It’s also great if you can replace some of the very sugary foods that you eat with some of the ones below.
Dairy Products
First up we have dairy products, which are renowned for being good for our oral health. Foods like cheese, yoghurt and milk are all naturally high in calcium, a mineral that contains casein proteins that strengthen all of our bones, including our enamel. Our enamel is so important for protecting the inside of our teeth and preventing issues like sensitivity, tooth decay and ultimately tooth loss. The best types of dairy for our teeth are those that aren’t really high in sugar, so avoiding yoghurt or milk products with added sugar is best. Also, really high fat dairy sources like cream or butter are lower in calcium that those with a slightly lower fat content.
Crunchy Veg
Next up, we have crunchy vegetables. Eating raw carrots, peppers, celery and cucumbers not only fuels your body with great nutrients that are also good for your teeth, but the crunching motion is a natural teeth cleaner! It helps to remove some of the plaque build up on our teeth, as well as removing some other foods or residue that could get stuck. If you ask your dentist Leamington Spa based for tips on the best foods to eat to help your teeth, this will be up there! It should never replace your brushing or flossing routine of course, but can be really helpful. If you’re not big into eating crunchy raw veg on their own, then we love dipping them into things like tzatziki, hummus or salsa for the perfect afternoon snack! Adding them into lunch wraps is also a great way to sneak them in if you don’t like them on their own.
Green Tea
Whilst this isn’t technically a food, green tea is a fantastic thing to consume for your teeth! It helps to reduce inflammation and the antioxidants help to counteract harmful natural bacteria in the mouth. Green tea is great for so many areas of our health, so drink a cup or two a day (ideally also replacing a few of the sugary drinks you consume) and your teeth will thank you for it!
Leafy Greens
Last but certainly not least, we have leafy greens. They’re packed full of vitamin A and C, which work to improve gum health and also reduce the buildup of harmful bacteria in the mouth. They’re also full of iron, something else which helps to fight bacteria that can damage our enamel. So, you should incorporate foods like spinach, kale, bok choy, rocket (arugula) and mustard greens into your diet, to keep your overall health in great shape, as well as your oral health!