What to Eat for Better Oral Health

There are many different ways you can take good care of your smile, and probably some ways in which you can improve how well you take care of it now. However, next to the importance of good dental hygiene, other things can often seem less important. For instance, when it comes to keeping your teeth strong and healthy, brushing and flossing them every day is only half the battle. Like the rest of your body, your teeth also need an ample supply of essential minerals and nutrients to remain healthy, and many of them have to be introduced through your diet.

Foods that strengthen your teeth

When they’re at their healthiest, your teeth are the strongest parts of your body. They have to be to effectively bite and chew your food so frequently without becoming weak or damaged. Much of their strength lies in the enamel that surrounds them, which is made almost entirely of minerals. Calcium is among the most abundant of these minerals, and the majority of your calcium supply comes from your diet. To boost the strength of your tooth’s enamel and structure, be sure to eat plenty of:

• Dairy products, including cheese and sugar-free yogurt
• Green, leafy vegetables
• A variety of colorful fruits
• Chicken and turkey
• And more

Foods that could weaken your teeth

In addition to feeding your teeth the minerals and nutrients they need to stay healthy, it’s equally important to avoid, or at least limit, their exposure to substances that can harm them. For example, healthy teeth are especially vulnerable to sugars and processed carbs, which oral bacteria turn into acids that weaken healthy tooth enamel. Processed foods also typically lack any of the nutrients that your teeth (and body) actually need, making them particularly harmful to the long-term health and integrity of your teeth.

Foods that improve the rest of your smile

Strengthening your teeth is an essential, but specific, nutritional goal for your oral health. However, your oral health involves more than just your teeth, and your diet should be healthy enough to promote more complete oral health. For example, foods such as fish, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids and other antioxidants, can help boost your chances of avoiding chronic oral health concerns like gum disease.

Learn more about how to improve your oral health

Eating a well-balanced diet is as essential to maintaining your oral health as practicing consistently good dental hygiene. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, today at 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE).