Eat Your Way to a Healthy Smile: Best Foods for Your Teeth

You take great care of your teeth by brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist as scheduled. But are you doing everything you can? Just like carrots are good for our eyes and water for our skin, specific foods deliver healthy benefits to our mouths. If you’re already being diligent with your oral hygiene routine, then you’ll also want to take great care about what food you put in your mouth. Let's explore the best foods for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. 

Calcium and Phosphorus Sources

Our teeth are composed of minerals. These minerals are lost and replenished during the remineralization process which naturally occurs in our teeth. However, when the acidity level is high, minerals are lost and not naturally replenished. This can cause the teeth’s outermost layer, the enamel, to corrode. Calcium is crucial as it helps keep the bones healthy and strong. It works better, though, when combined with phosphorus. They help replenish lost minerals on the teeth. Here are food choices that are great sources of calcium.

• Cheese. Hard cheese, like cheddar, is a good source of calcium for your teeth. Cheese helps increase salivary flow and decrease the acidity level in the mouth.
• Yogurt. It’s no surprise that yogurt is gaining in popularity. It’s a healthy snack rich in calcium. It also helps fight gum disease.
• Tofu. Vegetarians can always choose tofu for a tooth-friendly meal. Tofu is rich in phosphorus which protects tooth enamel.
• Almonds. Nuts, such as almonds, are packed with both calcium and phosphorus. They aid in cavity-fighting.
• Seafood. Fatty fish like salmon are filled with phosphorus, vital for strengthening tooth enamel.

Crunchy, Water-Rich Food

Crunchy foods promote salivary flow. They also serve as natural teeth cleaners, removing food residue on the tooth surface. They’re easily portable to snack on daily at school, work, or play. Introduce these healthy foods to kids when they’re young. Sweets are fine when enjoyed sparingly.

• Apples. They’re high in water content, plus they’re tasty too.
• Carrots. Since raw carrots are hard and require a lot of chewing, they help stimulate saliva production in the mouth. Their texture also helps with gentle scrubbing of the tooth surfaces.
• Celery. This raw vegetable is not just good for the body, it’s great for our teeth too. Consider it a natural dental floss, thanks to its fibre-rich strands.

Vitamin D Sources

 Vitamin D is good for your overall health as it helps with optimum calcium absorption.

• Sunlight. While it does not qualify as food, sunlight is known as the best natural source of Vitamin D. So when the sun is out, make sure to get your healthy dose of Vitamin D.
• Egg yolks. If you mostly opt for egg whites, having the egg yolks occasionally are worth a try. They're rich in vitamin D which is recognized for reducing the risk of developing tooth decay or dental caries.

As you plan your meals, don't forget to incorporate the best foods that will benefit your body and oral health.