Five Foods That Are Good For Your Teeth

We’ve all heard about foods that are bad for our teeth. What about the foods that are good for our pearly whites?

The American Dental Association (ADA) has a ton of helpful information on their website. We’ve picked a few tidbits that you might find interesting while adding our own spin, with regard to overall health.

Water

It’s been said that humans are 60% water, so it makes sense that we should drink a decent amount (8, eight-ounce glasses) each day. What’s more interesting is the water percentage in different parts of our bodies: 83% lungs, 79% kidneys, 73% brain and heart, 64% skin and 31% bones. Not to mention that infants are 75% water!

So what does that mean for our teeth? Since about 80% of the US population has access to fluoridated water, it’s important to drink it because fluoride makes teeth able to resist the acid that causes tooth decay. With that in mind, the ADA suggests that you get your drinking water from your tap and not from bottles, as bottled water usually does not contain fluoride. When in doubt, check the label.

Dairy Products

These foods are the double-good whammy for your teeth, as milk, yogurt, and cheese are low in sugar and contain calcium and protein. Those of which are really good for teeth strengthening. It’s usually easy to get kids to eat dairy products too, so that’s a good way to get their teeth off to a good start. Also, our teeth and bones are mostly made from calcium, so they can use all the help they can get.

Also, vitamin D is commonly added to milk, which helps our bodies absorb calcium.

Protein-rich Foods

Think eggs, poultry, meat, and fish. Not only are they rich in protein, they contain phosphorus as well. Phosphorus helps calcium strengthen teeth and bones.

Fruits and Vegetables

Not only are these foods part of any balanced diet, they are also beneficial for our teeth because they contain water and fiber. They are also helpful in balancing the sugars that we ingest and because in the raw state they require lots of chewing. A lot of chewing equals to increased saliva production, which can wash food particles and acids away from our teeth.

Seeds and Nuts

Not only do they contain protein and minerals, such as vitamin B, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants, they are low in carbohydrates. A little known fact is that carbohydrates give a boost to bacteria in our mouths that produce tooth-decaying acid.

After reading this blog and looking back at our Five Foods That Are Good For Our Teeth, you might come to the same conclusion as we did: A balanced diet is not only good for your teeth, but your overall health.

At your next appointment, ask us any questions you have about this subject. We are always happy to help!