Maintaining a healthy smile is vitally important for the overall health of your body. You have to go far beyond regular brushing and yearly trips to the dentist in order to keep your teeth in the best shape possible. You need to eat a healthy diet to give your body the proper amount of vitamins and nutrients. These are the seven foods that help make your teeth stronger.
1- Dark Leafy Greens
Leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, and kale are excellent sources of calcium and folic acid. The calcium works to strengthen the teeth while the folic acid works to fight off tooth decay and gum inflammation. Eating these dark leafy greens raw will provide the most nutritional benefits, so make sure to add them to your salads and sandwiches.
2- Nuts
Virtually every nut imaginable is filled with beneficial nutrients, but there are a few that help your teeth more than others. The best nuts for stronger teeth are almonds, cashews, and peanuts. They are all a great source of calcium, phosphorus, fiber, and Vitamin D.
3- Fatty Fish
While you cannot go wrong eating any type of fish, the ones that have a high-fat content provide the most benefits to your smile. The most accessible fatty fish are salmon and tuna. These fish are loaded with phosphorus, which is an essential mineral to protect your enamel. Salmon and tuna are also loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids that help prevent tooth decay. Get guidance about what you should eat to make your teeth stronger from experts at Scheels.
4- Lean Meat
Eating lean meat is a great way to increase your protein intake without drastically increasing your fat intake. Chicken and turkey are the best sources of lean meat, but there are also a few cuts of lean red meat that can help your teeth. The protein and calcium in the meat help make your teeth stronger. Chewing meat will also help remove unwanted bacteria from the mouth by increasing saliva production.
5- Dairy Products
There may not be a better group of foods that are better for your teeth than dairy products. Cheese, milk, and yogurt are great sources of calcium, phosphate, and casein. The phosphate will naturally help regulate the acid levels in your mouth while casein will help fortify your tooth enamel. Dairy products can even help eliminate bad breath.
6- Crunchy Vegetables
Celery, carrots, cucumbers, and other crunchy vegetables work as natural teeth cleaners while also providing essential nutrients for strong teeth. The firm texture of these vegetables scrubs away bacteria as you chew. This prevents unwanted trips to a quality dentist to treat a cavity or gum disease. Eating these vegetables is also a great way to get more Vitamin C into your diet.
7- Fruit
You should always look to add more fruit to your diet, but there are three specific fruits that are great at strengthening teeth. Apples, strawberrie, and pears are excellent sources of malic acid. This essential compound will naturally help clean and whiten your teeth. Make sure to eat these fruits raw with no added sugar to get the most benefits.
