Foods that improve your oral health
One of the most important factors you should think about when it comes to cultivating a healthy diet should be your oral and dental health. Every piece of food that goes past your lips will have a large effect on your teeth, so you should make sure that your diet is optimised to promote and protect your oral health. There are many vitamins and nutrients that naturally occur in food, that could be incredible for the health of your teeth and gums. Here are some of the best foods you need to be including in your everyday diet to improve your oral health.
Dairy Products
This is a very obvious choice on this list, however, the effectiveness of dairy products on your dental and oral health cannot be denied. Foods such as cheese and milk are great for your teeth, as they are high in calcium, which strengthens your bones and teeth. Cheese in particular is high in phosphate content, helping you balance PH levels in the mouth. An unbalanced PH balance can lead to tooth erosion and higher rates of decay, so if a food balances your oral PH levels you should definitely eat more of it! Furthermore, yoghurt is a good source of calcium, but it also includes probiotics which can protect you against cavities and bad breath.
Water
The health benefits of drinking your daily recommended intake of water cannot be understated – water is beneficial for all of your organs, your skin, and your eyes. Water is essential for the well-being of your entire body. However, water is also particularly good for your oral health. Drinking water with fluoride can help to strengthen your teeth, which is great for your overall dental health. Taking care to drink water after meals can help flush sugar away from your teeth, which can help you prevent cavities and decay. Furthermore, drinking water stimulates saliva production in your mouth, which is essential for healthy gums and teeth.
Crunchy Vegetables
One of the worst misconceptions about diet and oral health is that crunchy, fibrous foods can be bad for your teeth. However, this is not the case. Crunchy vegetables such as celery and carrots are fantastic for your oral health as chewing can help clean the surface of your teeth. These crunchy vegetables contain a lot of water which stimulates saliva production in your mouth and acts as a natural teeth cleaner. Adding some of these raw, crunchy veggies to your diet as a snack or side is one of the best foods you can eat for your dental health.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, lettuce and bok choy are some of the best foods you should be eating regularly if you want to improve your oral health. These foods are high in calcium and folic acid, which are amazing for strengthening your teeth and protecting them against decay. Like crunchy vegetables, they are also effective natural teeth cleaner, so including leafy greens in sandwiches and salads is one of the best things you can do for both your general and oral health.
Meat and Fish
Meat and fish provide a lot of protein and keep you full for longer, but they are also great for your teeth. Red meat and fatty fish in particular provide many nutrients such as magnesium, iron, potassium and zinc, which all contribute to bone and teeth health. Meat and fish also take a lot more chewing to digest, which can aid in saliva production. Saliva production is essential for balancing the PH balance in your mouth, and protecting yourself against oral diseases such as gingivitis and gum disease. Fatty fish such as salmon is particularly great for your teeth, as it includes phosphorus, which protects the enamel on your teeth.
Berries and Citrus Fruits
Berries such as strawberries, blueberries and blackberries are all fantastic as a snack if you want to protect your teeth in the long run. This is because they have a high amount of antioxidant properties, and they are essential for promoting tissue growth. This is fantastic for your teeth, as it helps fight against cavities and infections. Foods such as berries and citrus fruits are naturally very high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient to include in your diet, as it strengthens the entirety of your body – however, research suggests that it could even whiten your teeth! If you get your five a day, your teeth will definitely thank you for it.
Whole Grains
One of the worst problems when it comes to everyday dental health is that people with diets rich in simple carbohydrates struggle with tooth decay and disease. Simple carbohydrates stick to your teeth and turn to sugar, which can result in cavities. However, this isn’t the case with whole-grain carbohydrates such as brown bread, pasta, rice and oatmeal. This is because whole-grain foods have more complex carbohydrates which are less likely to damage your teeth. In fact, researchers on orthodontics in Milton Keynes found that patients were less likely to suffer damage to their teeth and braces if they switched to eating whole-grain foods. Make the switch today – you’ll be able to feel the difference in your teeth!
If you’re considering optimising your diet for improved oral health, make sure to include these foods in your new meal plan. All of these foods are rich in nutrients and vitamins that will strengthen your teeth – start eating them today!
Comments are closed.