Tooth-friendly Foods

It’s true what they say, you are what you eat. And nowhere is that truer than with your pearly whites.

Yep, the difference between a couple of fillings and a pristine set of teeth may lie in your diet.

Usually, on a list like this, we’re supposed to tell you what foods to avoid. Don’t eat sugary sweets, cut out carbonated drinks and try to reduce the amount of alcohol. And you’ve probably heard that a million times before!

What you might not know about are the foods that are good for your teeth.

In this blog, I’ll look at 11 foods that are super for your teeth. They’ll help you avoid cavities, freshen your breath and help keep your teeth strong. And better yet, most of them even taste pretty good!

Cheese

Cheese

If you like to polish off a meal with a lovely cheese board, I’ve got some good news for you. Cheese is great for your teeth!

A study from General Dentistry showed that people who ate cheese had a higher pH level in their mouth. This means that it was less acidic and that they ultimately had a lower risk of tooth decay.

We also know that cheese is a great source of calcium and phosphorus. This means that as well as lower acid levels, it also re-mineralizes the teeth at the same time.

Time to stock up on gouda, cheddar, and brie and put it to the test!

Broccoli

Broccoli

Leafy greens such as spinach, broccoli, and kale can be great for your teeth.

These super foods are rich in calcium, folic acid and plenty of other vitamins and minerals that all promote healthy teeth and mouths.

Studies claim that bacteria will virtually ignore broccoli, therefore, causing less acid buildup and damage to your teeth.

I don’t think bacteria is alone when it comes to ignoring broccoli. But if you love it, it will show love to you, and your teeth in return.

Apples

Apples

Apples are a bit of a controversial entry on the list.

You see, the average apple has a lot of sugar. How much? A whopping 23g of the stuff, which is about the same as two-thirds of a can of Coca-Cola!

Something that sugar can’t be good for your teeth, right?

Wrong!

Despite their sugary reputation, apples are actually pretty good for your teeth.

First, they’re packed with water and promote saliva production. This helps wash out your mouth, dislodging and removing excess food.

Second, they are packed full of fiber, which stimulates your gums and keeps them healthy.

So, next time someone tells you apples are bad for you, you know what to tell them.

Strawberries

Strawberries

Strawberries are the wonderberry for teeth and they’ve got too many advantages to posting in one short segment.

The super short version is this. Strawberries are packed with antioxidants, loaded with vitamin C, they naturally exfoliate your mouth and they help remove tartar. They also contain malic acid which helps to naturally whiten your teeth.

Yep, the strawberry is definitely the wonderberry when it comes to oral health!

Celery

Celery

I think it’s fair to say that there’s not a lot of love for celery. After all, its bland watery taste doesn’t really set your taste buds on fire!

The stringy strands that make up celery work a little like a toothbrush, scraping food off your teeth and keeping your mouth cleaner.

It also contains Vitamins A & C, these two work together to give your gums some healthy attention.

While it’s not the tastiest treat, celery can help your teeth stay clean as a whistle.

Carrots

Carrots

Another one of your mouth’s much loved crunchy vegetables.

Eating carrots isn’t the easiest job in the world, and that’s great for your mouth.

Due to their high water content and how much chewing it takes to break them down, carrots increase saliva production when eating. This helps wash the bacteria away as well as freshening your breath by scrubbing off the plaque building up on your teeth.

Yogurt

Yogurt

Yogurt is one of the more expected entries on this list as it’s packed full of full of calcium and protein, both helping your teeth stay healthy.

Yogurt also contains probiotics which help protect against gum disease.

If you are going to add some more yogurt to your diet, remember to choose a brand with no added sugar. Not only does it taste better but your teeth will thank you even more!

Almonds

Almonds

Almonds are probably one of the most surprising entries on this list and yet they’re one of the best!

Almonds are chock full of both calcium and protein and they’re super low in sugar.

Essentially, they offer all the benefits of yogurt but are a little more versatile.

Sugarless Gum

Sugar-less Gum

We wrote about the benefits of gum back in January. If you missed the blog posts, you can catch up here (http://www.buttercup7daydental.co.uk/chewing-gum-the-facts/).

Chewing gum is great for your teeth as it promotes saliva production and reduces the acidity in your mouth.

So, get chewing!

Tea

Tea

Avoid the sweetened teas and go for the healthier option of black or green teas.

Black and green teas contain compounds called polyphenols. These beauties help slow the growth of bacteria in your mouth and suppress the production of the compounds that result in bad breath.

Since it’s the bacteria that ultimately cause cavities, slower bacteria means fewer cavities as well as helping with the prevention of gum disease.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago discovered that people who rinsed black tea for one minute, ten times a day, had less plaque on their teeth compared to people who rinsed with water.

So go grab some tea and get rinsing! (Or you could drink it too!)

Water

Water

Is our one last tip going to revolutionize your diet? Probably not but it definitely deserves a mention.

Drinking water can really help improve your oral health.

It helps wash away food, it keeps your mouth clean and it keeps you and your mouth hydrated — all things that promote healthier teeth.

So go refill that glass and get drinking!

About The Author:

Angela Rowlands // Co-founder at Buttercup 7 Day Dental

Angela grew up in Glasgow and was a distinguished student at Glasgow University, graduating with honors in 2004 with the William Hunter Medal in Prosthodontics, the James Rankin Brownlie prize for Dental Surgery and the Lord Provost’s prize. Angela founded Buttercup in 2011 with Gerwyn Rowlands.

 

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