Which Foods are Good for Your Teeth?

Just like the rest of our wellbeing can be boosted by the foods we choose to eat, our teeth and gums can also benefit from eating particular foods. This could be because of the nutritional content of the foods, or because of the mechanical process of eating them.

So, while it is certainly wise to cut back on those sugary snacks and to watch out for food and drinks that can stain teeth there is some positive news. Here are some foods that you can tuck into and know you are supporting your oral health.

Apples

Apples are sweet, tasty, packed with vitamins and fibre – and as if that wasn’t enough, their texture and watery content makes them act as a sort of natural toothbrush in between daily brushing sessions.

The saying might be that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but the same could be said for the dentist. By encouraging the mouth to produce more saliva, apples help to clear bacteria from teeth.

The best way to eat apples is as the whole fruit, but if you struggle to bite into the skin, you could chop them into slices. They lose most of their nutritional value when they are cooked or juiced, so make sure you keep them whole!

Raw veggie sticks

Snacking on raw vegetable sticks is great for your teeth as you’ll enjoy the vitamin and mineral content, along with a healthy dose of fibre. The mechanical process of chewing raw vegetables also helps to remove plaque from the teeth and can minimise the impact of drinking things like red wine.

Green Tea

Green tea has been heralded as a ‘super food’ due to the many health benefits attributed to drinking it from helping to prevent serious illnesses to losing weight. While these claims might not be widely backed up by evidence, there is one area where green tea can help.

Studies have found that drinking green tea could help to support your teeth and gums because it is packed with antioxidants that help to fight bacteria in the mouth. It can also support the treatment of periodontal disease, as it helps to reduce the acidity in your mouth.

Drinking green tea instead of your morning tea or coffee could also have additional health benefits as this is less likely to stain your teeth.

Cheese

Some good news for cheese fans! Cheese is packed with calcium and protein, so it can help to strengthen the enamel that protects teeth. Cheese will also help to remineralise the teeth, and the act of chewing it will create saliva, which also helps to balance acid in the mouth.

Cheese is great for counteracting the negative impact of your favourite glass of wine. It will help to neutralise the acidity of the wine while also helping to prevent staining. Hard cheese is best for this, so look for parmesan, comte or pecorino.

Leafy greens

Another prolific health food champion, leafy greens are a great addition to your plate. Full of calcium – and other vitamins – they help to protect enamel. Adding a handful of leafy greens to every meal is a great way to boost the nutritional content and to ensure you are getting plenty of vitamin C, calcium, iron and fibre.

Strawberries and oranges

While we still need to watch the acidic content of foods, these fruits are high in vitamin C, which is needed to produce collagen that is essential to good gum health. Strawberries also contain malic acid, which can help to naturally whiten the teeth.

Be wary of any advice that suggests brushing your teeth with strawberry paste, as this is very bad for your teeth. Enjoying strawberries in moderation is enough to enjoy the benefits of malic acid without risking damage to the enamel.

Water

Another simple switch you can make in your life to help boost your oral health is to cut out fizzy drinks in favour of simple water. Water naturally rinses away food debris and neutralises the acids in your mouth. This can help to prevent decay and gum disease.

Switching to water has an additional benefit, as it often means that you’ll be cutting out other drinks such as fizzy drinks. These can be highly acidic and cause widespread damage to your teeth.

Oily fish

Oily fish like salmon and mackerel are great for your teeth as they are packed with vitamins and minerals. Salmon is a great source of protein and is also loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, which help to manage inflammation linked to gum disease.

Other fish like mackerel and sardines are rich in vitamin D, which is essential for good oral health. Vitamin D makes it possible to absorb calcium and phosphorus from your diet, so it’s an oral health powerhouse.

Nuts

Nuts are high in calories, so they should be enjoyed in moderation, but they make an incredible snack. They are full of vitamins and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and vitamin D.

They are a low-sugar alternative to many other sweet snacks, so they can help to keep your cravings at bay, without risking your oral health.

Final thoughts on caring for your teeth

There are lots of simple changes you can make to help care for your teeth. Drink lots of water, brush twice a day, and choose foods that bring added benefits to your teeth. These simple steps, along with regular trips to the dentist, will help to keep your dental health in top condition.

If you are concerned about how your diet is impacting your teeth, book an appointment with our team. We can arrange a consultation to explore your current habits and see how this is impacting your teeth and gums.

We can then offer personalised recommendations to help address your concerns. A trip to the dental hygienist can also help you to take charge of your oral health and keep gum disease at bay.