5 Best Foods For Beautiful Teeth

Even so-called bad foods can be enjoyed in moderation, but what about foods that are actively good for our oral health? Thankfully, there are food choices that provide vitamins and minerals that will help to support excellent oral health.

If you’re looking for a tooth-friendly snack or meal, consider adding the following choices to your shopping list. Here are 5 of these foods/drinks to consider:

#1. Black and green tea

It is always a good idea to drink tea once you are finished with your meal because teas are rich in polyphenols. These compounds have the ability to suppress the growth and activity of bacteria and preserve your dental health. When we finish a meal, the leftovers in our mouth are helping bacteria to grow. Black and green tea help to combat this.

While tea might be good for your oral health in terms of neutralising bacteria, bear in mind that this choice could lead to increased staining. This can be removed with professional teeth whitening and will not damage the strength of your teeth.

#2. Dairy

Unsweetened milk and yoghurt are very good for the teeth. They contain low levels of acidity which means that the gradual abrasion of teeth (dental erosion) is slower. These foods also have a very small amount of sugar which means less tooth decay. Milk is an excellent, natural source of calcium. This mineral is the main ingredient found in bones and teeth.

Cheese is another great choice for neutralising acids in the mouth after a meal. If you’re enjoying a glass of wine, you can counteract some of the negative points of the acidity of the wine by choosing to pair this with a small piece of cheese.

#3. Dark chocolate

Many people will be surprised to hear that chocolate actually can help preserve the beauty of their teeth. Of course, we are talking about dark chocolate which is rich in cacao – more than 75% should be sufficient. The higher the cocoa, the lower the sugar.

Cacao contains a compound known as CBH which strengthens the tooth enamel. Obviously, dark chocolate needs to be eaten in moderation but a little bit every now and then is fine. Eating your chocolate after a meal is better than snacking between meals, as your body will produce saliva to help with digestion, and this can help to protect your teeth from damage.

#4. Wild salmon

We all know how useful fish is when it comes to cardiovascular health. According to numerous studies, fish, especially wild salmon, is great for the teeth too.

As we have already mentioned, our body needs calcium to strengthen the teeth, but if there is a lack of vitamin D in the system the calcium we take cannot be absorbed in the right way. Wild salmon and a few other fatty fish are packed with vitamin D. It’s also full of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids which are great for your health.

#5. Celery

The ingredients found in celery protect the teeth and additional chewing creates a lot of saliva which neutralises different bacteria which leads to tooth decay. Celery is also rich in fibre, which acts as a natural toothbrush.

The motion is crunching and chewing celery can help to keep your teeth clean between meals. So, if you’re enjoying your wine and cheese, you can further enhance the benefits by adding a piece of celery or other raw veggies to your plate.

For more information about which foods and drinks are good for your teeth, please get in touch. We can help guide you to make better choices for your oral health.