The Best Foods For Your Teeth

It’s common knowledge that sugary foods are bad for your teeth. They cause cavities and can cause some breakdown of the tooth enamel, which is the hard, outside part of the tooth. However, some food is particularly good for the health of your teeth. Not only are they delicious, but you can help out your teeth as well!

Dairy

Cheese, milk, yogurt and other dairy products are very good for your teeth. Dairy contains calcium, and that’s what teeth are mostly made of. Calcium strengthens both the bones in your body and your teeth. Dairy products also contain Vitamin D, which is an important vitamin that helps your body break down the calcium. Next time you pour a glass of milk (1% is the best), remember that you’re doing your body a favor!

Strawberries

Strawberries and other citrus fruits provide a lot of Vitamin C to your body. Vitamin C is needed for the production of collagen, a protein that helps build the strength of your gums. With a certain acid, strawberries might also help whiten your teeth. Citrus fruits like strawberries can provide most of the Vitamin C you need in a day, so eating half a cup of strawberries will do a lot of good.

Nuts

Walnuts, cashews, peanuts and almonds are some great nuts you can snack on during the day that will also help your teeth. Peanuts contain calcium and Vitamin D, like dairy, and almonds are a big source of calcium as well. Cashews stimulate saliva in the mouth and help to clean teeth. Walnuts are just chock-full of great nutrients like magnesium, potassium and Vitamin E. A bowl of mixed nuts will really do you good if you’re looking for food that benefits your teeth.

High-Fiber Fruits And Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables with high fiber, like apples, carrots and celery, are beneficial snacks for your teeth because they help clean the plaque and freshen your breath. Fiber stimulates saliva flow like cashews do. Saliva is great for the mouth because it battles damaging acids and contains phosphates and calcium.

Sugar-Free Gum

Lastly, sugar-free gum is generally regarded as being good for your teeth. Some people think all gum is bad for the teeth, but that is a common dental myth. Sugar-free gum stimulates saliva as well and can help clean your teeth after a meal. Avoid the sugary gum, though, because that can cause cavities.