No one can deny the power behind a beautiful, bright smile or the desire to have one. The simple trick to achieve that goal is taking care of our teeth, but what foods and beverages are best to strengthen and preserve our small gems?
Almost all of our lives, we’ve heard about how certain foods and drinks are bad for our teeth, whether it was our moms slapping us on the wrist for having too much soda or the dentist frustratingly telling us to lay off chocolate for the 7th time in a row. However, how often have we heard about the opposite side of the equilibrium? What foods or beverages can protect our teeth and help them shine?
Throw away the candy and learn more about 7 food and drink items you probably never knew were so beneficial for your teeth and oral health.
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1- Dairy
Just like protein shakes provide essential amino acids for muscle growth, dairy products offer calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus, which are crucial for strong bones and teeth. Not only do they replace lost tooth minerals, but they also encourage the body to produce more saliva. This is particularly helpful due to the part it plays in cleaning the mouth from leftover food particles. Can’t get your dairy fix due to lactose intolerance? Dairy alternatives like soy and cashew are also rich in calcium that strengthen teeth for long-term dental care.
2- Fruits & Veegtables
The two pillars of a healthy diet—fruits and vegetables contain essential nutrients like vitamin B, folic acid, calcium, and fiber. These nutrients play a key role in strengthening the tooth enamel and producing mouth-cleaning saliva. For those of us struggling with a sweet tooth and the associated risk of cavities, swapping chocolate bars with apples is a great way to satisfy that sweet craving while consuming vitamins and fiber. Unlike sugary snacks, fruits and vegetables improve saliva production, which fights off lingering mouth bacteria and protects the teeth from harm.
3- Fluoride Rich Foods
No — don’t eat your toothpaste. The best sources of natural sodium fluoride are in the ocean, like fish, shellfish, and other seafood. Are you dealing with seafood allergies? Get your fill of fluoride from other dietary staples like carrots, beets, canned pork and beans, canned tomato products, and cheese, as these also have some fluoride content. Fluoride-rich foods help strengthen teeth and bones, resist acid, and prevent tooth decay — the same reasons that this essential mineral is the core ingredient of your toothpaste.
As easy as it would be, eating toothpaste is not recommended. Alternatively, the best sources of natural sodium fluoride are in the ocean! Fish, shellfish, and other seafood are packed with fluoride, protein, and vitamins. Dealing with seafood allergies doesn’t mean you can’t fluoride! Other dietary staples like carrots, beets, canned pork and beans, canned tomato products, and cheese also have a good amount of fluoride content. Much like dairy products, fluoride-rich foods strengthen teeth and bones. However, it also resists acid buildup and prevents tooth decay.
4- Green Tea/Black Tea
If tea is not already your favorite drink, you might want to reconsider. Sugarless tea, especially green tea, is a treasure trove of dental goodness. It helps keep saliva in your mouth while lowering its acidity, washing away sticky dental plaque, and reducing dental cavities. If that’s not good enough, tea also contains our teeth’s favorite mineral, fluoride.
5- Water
Last but certainly not least, water is the best drink for your teeth and for hydrating your body. Over the course of the day, bacteria can build up in your mouth, and drinking water can help replenish your saliva and do its job of bringing your mouth to a normal pH level. As it isn’t acidic, it has no chance whatsoever of damaging your teeth, unlike other soft drinks.
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