Every dentist will tell you that the best routine for maintaining great oral health includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing your teeth regularly. They’ll also emphasize that sugar is the biggest threat to your dental health. While there’s a plethora of weight loss books, programs, DVDs, and products out there to help you stay fit and healthy, how are these things related to your teeth?
It turns out that good nutrition benefits both your body and your teeth. Here are some fantastic, nutritious foods that can help keep your teeth healthy while boosting your overall health:
**Vitamin D and Calcium**
Your bones and teeth need vitamin D and calcium to stay strong. Dairy products like milk and yogurt are excellent sources of these important nutrients. Regularly consuming these can help maintain the strength of your teeth over the long term.
**Cheese**
Cheese is a particularly beneficial dairy product for your diet. Rich in vitamin D and calcium, it also protects your teeth against decay. Cheese interacts with plaque and helps shield your teeth from acids that cause damage.
**Fresh Fruits and Vegetables**
Crisp fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, not only promote physical health but also serve as natural palate cleansers. These foods help scrape away plaque and leave your breath feeling fresh.
**Carb-Based Foods**
Who doesn’t love potato chips? While they are delicious and easy to snack on, carb-based foods like chips and bread can harm your teeth. They become chewy and sticky when mixed with saliva, clinging to your teeth and gums. To minimize damage, eat these foods as part of a balanced meal that includes vegetables and proteins. This helps increase saliva production to wash away food particles.
**Gum**
Chewing sugarless gum between meals helps keep your mouth clean. It stimulates saliva production, which breaks down food stuck between your teeth and helps remove leftover particles thanks to the gum’s stickiness.
**Cranberries**
Cranberries, especially their juice, can prevent plaque formation, which causes bad breath. They can also help keep your teeth from yellowing. However, avoid sugary cranberry cocktails, as they can be detrimental to your dental health.
Ultimately, the foods you choose for overall wellness can also benefit your oral health. By eating nutritious foods, you’ll support your teeth alongside brushing, flossing, and rinsing.