The Best and Worst Foods for Teeth
It sounds strange, but it is true—you are what you eat.
While you know what you eat impacts your overall health and weight, did you know that some of the foods you eat are good for your teeth while others are not? To maintain overall health, you need to limit the bad foods and incorporate more of the healthy ones into your diet.
What Foods are Good for Your Teeth?
To keep your teeth healthy and clean, here are a few foods you should try to eat more of:
- Milk and Eggs - Milk and other dairy products are excellent sources for calcium and vitamin D. They are essential for bone health, which strengthens your teeth as well.
- Cheese and Yogurt - Cheese and yogurt are rich in phosphorus and calcium, which protect tooth enamel and can replace lost minerals in the teeth. Opt for low-fat cheeses and plain, non-fat yogurts. Cheese also contains casein, which helps strengthen enamel.
- Meat, Fish and Tofu - These foods not only contain phosphorus, but other minerals too that protect tooth enamel.
- Dark, Leafy Greens and Vegetables - Dark and leafy greens are full of vitamins and minerals that can improve teeth.
- Crunchy Vegetables - Crunchy vegetables help clean your teeth and their fibrous strands are like nature’s “floss.”
Foods to Avoid
There are some foods you should avoid to keep your teeth healthy and prevent excess plaque and bacterial buildup inside the mouth. These foods include:
- Acidic Fruits - While they are high in vitamin C, acidic fruits like limes, lemons and grapefruits are loaded with citric acid which erodes and decays your tooth enamel.
- Pickles - Pickles are brined in vinegar, which makes for a super-acidic combination and increases the likelihood of enamel erosion.
- Coffee - Coffee contains tannic acids that can wear down enamel and even turn your tooth colour to brown.
- Red Wines - Red wine is also high in acidity and can stain the teeth.
- Soda and Candy - Soda and candy are high in acid and sugar, which increase erosion and decay of the teeth.
Even if you eat right, you still need to see your dentist frequently for check-ups. During those checkups, you can do a teeth cleaning as well. These appointments are necessary for maintaining a healthy, bright smile and regular teeth cleanings can also prevent cavities or infections.