‘You are what you eat’ may feel like an old cliché, but it is the reality, especially regarding oral health. A diet high in fiber and essential nutrients and low in carbohydrates and sugars optimizes dental health, prevents cavities, and avoids frequent dentist visits. Reputable dentist sites like lowenberglituchykantor.com agree that your smile is your calling card, thus the need to protect it. Here are the best foods for a healthy smile and body.
Apples
Eating an apple daily may not keep the dentist away, but it keeps decay at bay. Apples are good fruits for a healthy smile because they have plenty of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. The fiber in apples stimulates gums and enhances salivation to eradicate acids left by food in the mouth as well as cavity-causing bacteria.
Apples cleans teeth eliminate food particles and debris, and gives your mouth a good scrub after meals. However, this does not mean that apples replace brushing teeth. In addition, apples maintain a fresh breath by killing harmful bacteria promoting bad breath.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, lettuce, and arugula are rich in vitamins, minerals, and calcium to promote oral and overall body health. They are also nutritious, low-calorie, and serve as a barrier against acidic foods that cause cavities.
Since leafy greens contain folic acid, they help pregnant women maintain oral health and treat gum disease. The good thing about leafy greens is the countless ways to add them to your diet. You can blend kale into smoothies, toss some baby spinach in salad, and add arugula to pizza.
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish features in numerous health diets as it contains a significant amount of vitamin D. Among the lesser-known benefits of fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel are lowering the risk of tooth decay. The vitamin D in fatty fish increases the supply of calcium to the teeth, strengthening the enamel and preventing cavities.
Besides vitamin D, oily fish contains omega-3, which supports gum health. Research shows that omega-3 can also ease the symptoms of gum disease, which affects a substantial part of the US populace. Oily fish can greatly reduce inflammation and bleeding for people whose gums bleed after brushing.
Cheese
Cheese lovers have more reasons to add it to their snacks, foods, and appetizers, because it benefits teeth. It is low in sugar and rich in calcium, phosphate, and protein. Calcium promotes bone density, while phosphate balances mouth pH to protect the tooth enamel. Since cheese is chewy, it boosts saliva production, helping get rid of bacteria in the mouth.
Milk
Milk is among the best drinks for a healthy smile, and with good reason. First, it contains calcium to strengthen your teeth and preserve the enamel. In children, the calcium in milk fosters the growth of healthy teeth and bones.
Second, milk has casein proteins, acting as a protective film for teeth against tooth decay. Third, drinking milk lessens mouth acidity to maintain healthy enamel. Lastly, dairy products such as milk encourage saliva production to prevent gum disease and oral infections.
Celery
While this popular vegetable is known for being bland and watery, it is good for your pearly whites. Celery is loaded with vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and sodium. The vitamins in celery strengthen teeth, protect against gum disease, and prevent bleeding gums. Celery is prominent for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it great for soothing sore and swollen gums.
Celery serves as a natural toothbrush to remove food particles and bacteria from teeth, leaving them sparkling and healthy. Due to its chewy nature, celery massages gums and generates tons of saliva to neutralize bacteria. The good thing about celery is it is a versatile vegetable and you can eat it raw or cooked. You can add it to soups, smoothies, stir-fries, and juice and enjoy its enormous benefits for teeth and the whole body.
Nuts
Eating nuts like almonds benefits your teeth in several ways. Firstly, most nuts are rich in calcium, vitamin D, and iron, nutrients supporting good oral health. Second, nuts are crunchy and thus increase saliva production while cleansing teeth.
Third, since nuts are low in sugar and carbohydrates, they are healthy snacks that do not offend your mouth. Nuts do not increase a person’s risk of bacterial growth and tooth decay as long as they are additive-free and not sweetened.
Yogurt
Since yogurt contains calcium protein, live culture, and vitamins, it is good for teeth and bones. The probiotics –good bacteria in yogurt fight bad bacteria, prominent for causing gum disease and cavities. Also, they eradicate smelly bacteria in the mouth, ensuring your breath is as fresh as your smile. Yogurt helps balance mouth pH, so bacteria causing cavities and decay do not thrive. If you want to harness the oral health benefits of yogurt, opt for sugar-free, plain Greek yogurt.
If you want a healthy smile, be intentional about what you eat. Low-fat dairy products, leafy greens, and fibrous fruits and veggies are excellent choices for promoting oral and overall health. Also, be mindful of what you drink. Avoid sweetened drinks and choose water, milk, and yogurt. A healthy smile is a byproduct of a healthy diet and good dental hygiene.