Sometimes expensive treatments from the dentist aren’t always necessary to strengthen and protect your teeth. Eating balanced diet can be an equally powerful solution as well. After all, you are what you eat.
5 Common Foods For Healthier Teeth
Sweet Potatoes
These potatoes contain high amounts of vitamin C, which helps prevent gingivitis and strengthen gum tissue. In short, it keeps your teeth from falling out.
Usually when you think of vitamin-C rich foods, you think of juices, oranges and strawberries, but without proper brushing, these fruits can cause erosion due to their high acidic content.
Sweet potatoes, however, don’t contain this harming acidity so they’re a safer option for your teeth. One large sweet potato actually contains more vitamin C than an orange.
Cheese
Like other dairy products, cheese has plenty of calcium that builds strong bones and, once absorbed by the body, protects your gums from disease.
You can get calcium from milk or yogurt, but cheese is an excellent choice because it starts building tooth enamel from the moment you chew it. The cheese sticks to the plaque on your teeth and protects them from acidic foods, reducing tooth sensitivity.
Salmon
After you have consumed foods with calcium, vitamin D is essential to absorb it and get the maximum amount of nutrients. Balance your diet by eating fish like salmon or trout. Both are excellent sources of vitamin D.
For vegetarians, eggs, mushrooms or whole grain cereals make good substitutions. Some milk also contains vitamin D, which is a great way to get all your vitamins and minerals in one glass.
Raw Carrots
Raw carrots, celery and apples are all known as naturally abrasive foods. They massage gums and clean in between the teeth like a toothbrush while also producing extra saliva to neutralize plaque that causes cavities.
Snacking on raw carrots also fends off cravings because they don’t have addictive ingredients like salt and processed sugars that you get from junk food. Instead of a bowl of chips, grab a bowl of raw vegetables or apple slices. Peel the skin off the apple so you don’t get pieces stuck in your teeth, and brush after thirty minutes to remove the acid.
Grilled Chicken
Like most meats, chicken is filled with protein, which builds and repairs body tissues, an important function to maintain healthy gums.
Chicken also strengthens teeth and the jaw bone because of its high levels of phosphorus. When cooking chicken, choose the healthier grilled option over fried.
Vegetarians can also find good sources of protein in eggs or beans.
Note: Make sure you visit the dentist regularly.Of course, regular dental exams are just as important as what you eat. Healthy foods may strengthen and protect your teeth and gums, but dentists do help prevent plaque build-up and keep your teeth polished.
