“Don’t eat too much sugar, it can increase your risk of cavities,” “Red wine can stain your teeth,” “Soda can erode your enamel” – you’ve probably heard some of these pieces of dental health advice more than once. Plenty is said about foods that can be bad for you teeth, but what about the foods that are good for your smile?
That’s what this post is all about! If you’d like to incorporate some dental-friendly snacks into your diet, keep reading and learn how these four food groups could help you smile.
1. Dairy
Dairy products like fortified milk, cheese, and yogurt contain fantastic helpings of calcium. As one of the building blocks of human bones, calcium promotes strong teeth and helps to maintain bone density. Including a generous amount of dairy into your diet will assist with cavity prevention, so choose your favorite product and enjoy!
2. Crunchy Veggies
Vegetables are an essential part of any nutrition plan. They’re loaded with vitamins, which is good for both your general health and your pearly whites, but crunchy veggies do something unique for your teeth. When you bite down into a stick of celery or a raw carrot, the fiber content works to stimulate your saliva production. Saliva helps clean your teeth and protects your enamel from acid, which is great for keeping your smile healthy and bright.
3. Meat
Or more specifically, the proteins found in lean meats like turkey, chicken, fish, and beef. Like calcium, protein is a major component in your teeth’s composition. It also helps form and repair tissue, like the kind found in your oral cavity. Just be sure to thoroughly floss after eating a meat-rich meal. Flakey, tender cuts can easily get stuck between your pearly whites.
4. Polyphenols
“Poly-what-ols?” you might be thinking. It is a difficult chemical to pronounce, and one you might not be familiar with. Polyphenols are a plant-based compound, meaning you can often find them in fruits and vegetables, as well as drinks like coffee and tea. They have excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, both of which are great for fighting off cavities and gum disease!
Eating a Balanced Diet
The phrase “balanced diet” might be another cliché you hear a lot, but there’s a good reason for that. It’s good to strategize your meals and pay close attention to your vitamin and mineral intake – and it’s good to remember that you need a wide variety of these nutrients to maintain your health and smile! Try not to leave out any one food group completely. Your pearly whites will definitely appreciate it.
About the Author
Dr. Tavi Henry earned his dental degree from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, and has over 400 hours in continuing education courses for subjects like sleep dentistry, cosmetic restorations, implant dentures, and orthodontics. You could say he knows a thing or two about teeth! If you’d like more advice on which foods to eat to promote your oral health, contact Dr. Henry’s office at 303-984-1400.