You hear a lot about foods that are bad for your smile, but what about the opposite? Well, today our Toluca Lake dentists are sharing some useful information about the ways in which certain foods can positively impact dental health. Keep reading to learn more…
Crunchy Vegetables
Eating plenty of vegetables helps your body get the nutrients it needs to fight infections and stay healthy. And, whenever you chew on crunchy veggies like carrots and celery, you are naturally cleaning plaque and bacterial build-up from your smile. So, reach for water-rich veggies to immediately refresh your smile.
Dairy
One of the main benefits of consuming dairy products is that these foods contain a lot of calcium. Calcium helps you maintain healthy bone and tooth density, so it is critical to oral health. Dairy products are also rich in phosphate, which supports strong, re-mineralized dental enamel. One thing to keep in mind when incorporating dairy into your diet: look for yogurts, cheeses, and milks that do not contain very much sugar.
Fruit
Many of our favorite fruits like berries and kiwis, contain a lot of vitamin C. Vitamin C is necessary for maintaining healthy collagen, as well as supporting soft oral tissues. Whole fruits contain the antioxidants we need to fight off infections and maintain healthy smiles. Keep in mind that many of these fruits do contain a lot of sugar, so you want to enjoy them in moderation.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and broccoli are loaded with calcium, folic acid, and vitamin C, all of which help your smile stay healthy and strong. And, as with crunchy vegetables, chewing on leafy greens jump-starts saliva production and scrapes plaque from your dental enamel. So, it’s important to make sure that you are getting enough healthy-supporting leafy greens in your daily diet.
Water
One of the best things that you can do for your oral health is to consume plenty of water throughout the day. Plain water hydrates your body, supports healthy oral tissues, facilitates saliva production and enamel remineralization, and rinses away dental debris and plaque. Plus, water, unlike most other beverages, does not contain bacteria-supporting sugars.
As you can see there are a number of foods and drinks that can support optimal oral health. As you plan meals and snacks, keep this information in mind; your smile will thank you! And remember, you can always contact our Toluca Lake dentists to get even more information, or to schedule a consultation.