Besides general dentistry visits and good oral hygiene practices, the foods you eat can be beneficial for your teeth. Good nutrition can help prevent cavities, just as certain foods can be detrimental to oral health. In this article, you will find some tooth-friendly foods to incorporate into your diet.
Tooth-friendly foods are those that fortify the teeth and reduce bacteria and acid in the mouth. They include:
Dairy products like yogurt, milk, and cheese promote saliva production, which helps wash off sugar and bacteria in the mouth. Also, yogurt and cheese have high protein and calcium content, which makes the teeth strong. The probiotics (helpful bacteria) aid the digestive system. It is better to choose unsweetened yogurt and add honey or a bit of sweetener. For those who are allergic to dairy products, the alternatives are nut milk like almond, cashew, or soy milk, fortified with calcium and protein.
Vegetables should be a major part of everyone’s diet. There are many health benefits beyond their low-calorie content. As an alternative to dressings or toppings, one can consume as many leafy greens as desired. Vegetables are high in vitamin B, calcium, and folic acid, which are beneficial to general dentistry health. They could be included in a salad or smoothie.
When craving sugar, it is better to take an apple instead of turning to desserts or candy bars. Apple promotes saliva production and contributes to fiber content and hydration. Celery has a texture that helps clean the teeth of food debris and bacteria. Carrots and celery also have excellent fiber content, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Carrots can be diced into salads or enjoyed as a snack – avoid the hard ones.
Unsweetened green and black teas contain elements that help to fight plaque. Lean proteins like tofu, fish, meat, and poultry contain protein and phosphorus to maintain healthy teeth. Almonds are beneficial because they contain protein and calcium and have low sugar.
Fluoride is an important mineral for strong teeth and reduces the risk of tooth decay. Fluoride is included in toothpaste and water sources for this reason. Using fluoride toothpaste and consuming foods that contain fluoride helps the teeth absorb the mineral, fortifying it against acids. Many kinds of seafood are great fluoride sources because the ocean contains natural sodium fluoride. Beets, canned tomato products, cheeses, and carrots all have some percentage of fluoride.
Including the foods listed above can help your general dentistry oral health. However, you should limit the intake of foods with high acid and sugar content as they can be detrimental to your teeth and gums. Water is very important; drinking enough water can help prevent dry mouth, contributing to gum disease, bad breath, and cavities.
Ask any general dentistry professional about the best ways to keep your teeth healthy and they will certainly remind you of good oral hygiene and timely dental appointments. Be sure to clean your teeth after eating and schedule a dental appointment at least twice yearly.
Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistofvisalia.com or call Visalia Care Dental at (559) 975-1213 for an appointment in our Visalia office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Visalia, CA.
Oral appliances provided by a general dentist are an effective treatment option for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a severe disorder in which patients repeatedly stop breathing for a few seconds while sleeping. When the airways are clogged, airflow is momentarily limited, reducing the brain's oxygen level. The condition has physiological and emotional consequences for…
General dentists spend a significant portion of their time performing preventative dental treatments. These treatments reduce the odds of common dental issues, like tooth decay and gum disease, from developing in the future. Preventative care saves patients time and money by making it less likely that they will develop severe dental problems that call for…
Going to the general dentistry office may not excite you, but you can reap the benefits. Putting off dental appointments can disrupt good oral health habits and lead to serious problems. The next time you come to see your dentist, you will have a dental cleaning. This is much more than a formality. General dentistry…
A general dentist shared some ways to help prevent bad breath. This is a topic no one wants to discuss. Bad breath happens to everyone at one point or another. If you take proper precautions, you can avoid having bad breath. We should openly talk about this taboo topic. The more we talk about it, the…