The best food items for your oral health: We know that maintaining your smile over time can be challenging, even with daily oral hygiene habits like brushing or flossing.
Did you know our diet can have a direct impact on our oral health, especially on the bacteria found growing in our mouths? A nutritious and balanced diet will result in healthy teeth and gums. To maintain your healthy smile, you must consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, proteins, calcium-rich meals, and whole grains. Keep reading to learn the healthiest foods for your teeth and gums. You’ll discover some of the most nutritious foods that will contribute positively to your dental care.
Most meat contains some amount of vital nutrients necessary for good health overall. Specifically, fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, trout, and pollock, are rich sources of phosphorus. Phosphorus which is a crucial mineral in the process of maintaining, protecting, and rebuilding dental enamel. It’s easy to degrade your enamel on a day to day basis. Things like sugary or acidic foods, plaque and tartar buildup, soda and alcohol, and poor nutrition can all aid in enamel erosion
Other foods like chicken, turkey, and beans have large amounts of phosphorus but not as much as the seafood sources mentioned above.
Because cheese provides a high source of calcium with a low amount of sugar, it’s one of the best things for your teeth. Cheese also has a protein called casein. This protein is powerful because of its ability to prevent tooth-decaying bacteria from sticking to our teeth. In addition, by chewing cheese, you’ll get a boost in your saliva production, which assists in washing away bacteria in the mouth.
Additionally, cheese contains a lot of phosphate. Phosphate helps to balance the pH in the mouth while protecting dental enamel.
Did you know when you eat almonds, Brazil nuts, and cashews, you are naturally fending off the bacteria that causes tooth disease? Nuts provide many dental health advantages due to their high amounts of calcium and phosphorus.
Walnuts have the most nutrients. They have fiber, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, iron, niacin, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium, and zinc making them a powerhouse for dental health.
Crunchy nuts help strengthen the teeth and can remove bacteria deposits stuck on the teeth.
Polyphenols are compounds that we get through certain plant-based foods that include flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, and stilbenes. Cranberries are high in this compound and have antioxidant properties. This makes them ideal for preventing plaque development. Polyphenols can improve dentine remineralization, dentine strength, and bonding to restorative materials causing them to lower the risk of tooth decay.
Raisins, similar to polyphenols, help reduce tooth decay. One study found that oleanolic acid, a phytochemical in raisins, can suppress the growth of two species of oral bacteria: Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans. Both types of bacteria can cause cavities.
If you choose to eat either of these, be sure to look for packages that contain little to no added sugar.
If you need a partner in achieving your ideal smile and maintaining your dental health, consider working with Arvada Dental Excellence. Our clients have access to a comprehensive list of dental treatments and cutting-edge dental technology. Our knowledgeable staff provides services with care and comfort as our top priority.
To speak with a specialist about your oral goals, please contact us today.
