Your teeth are one of the first parts of your body that food touches when you eat. So, it goes without saying that your teeth are going to feel the impact of your food choices.
But what does this mean for your diet? Look at some of these recommendations for foods that are tooth-healthy and foods that you should eat only in moderation to keep your teeth healthier than ever.
Tooth-Healthy Foods
Like any part of your body, your mouth relies on foods that are nutritionally dense with vitamins and minerals.
Specifically, your teeth benefit from foods that are rich in calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for keeping your tooth enamel and bones strong and healthy!
Nutritious sources of calcium and phosphorus include:
- Low-fat milk and cheese
- Chicken and turkey
- Nuts such as almonds and cashews
- Green veggies like broccoli and spinach
Other tooth-healthy food choices include crunchy vegetables and fruits, like carrots and apples. The crunchy texture of these foods helps to brush away debris and bacteria on your teeth, and the high water content can stimulate saliva flow, which helps to protect against tooth decay. Plus, these foods are healthy and delicious!
Crunchy veggies and fruits may be good for your teeth, but we recommend that you avoid eating very hard crunchy foods such as hard candy or even plain ice!
Foods to Have in Moderation
In addition to foods that you should eat more of for better dental health, there are foods you should avoid, or at least consume in moderation.
Sugary and starchy foods are favorite treats for a lot of people. But the high content of sugar in candies and baked sweets and the starch and fat content of fries and potato chips are what feed bacteria in your mouth and allow plaque to grow. We recommend that you cut back on these treats, and brush or rinse immediately after eating them when it’s possible!