We’ve talked about foods that affect your oral health, but those discussions often boil down to the nutrients you get from those foods. Let’s take a closer look at those nutrients & exactly what foods provide them.
Calcium
Incredibly important for bone health, calcium also helps to strengthen enamel, the outer layer of teeth, preventing decay from reaching the vulnerable inner layers. Dairy is the most well-known source of calcium, but you can also find it in fish (sardines & canned salmon), seeds, almonds, beans & beets. Plus, a variety of foods (cereals) & drinks (orange juice) are fortified with calcium.
Fiber
In addition to aiding your digestive processes & promoting weight loss, fiber naturally cleans teeth by increasing saliva production to wash away debris & neutralize acids. Fiber is present in so many healthy foods, such as leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes & even popcorn.
Vitamin A
Known for supporting eye health, Vitamin A also helps to strengthen enamel. Cheese, butter, fish & liver are excellent sources of Vitamin A, as well as sweet potato, spinach & cantaloupe. Also, some foods high in Vitamin A, like carrots, are hard or chewy, which helps support your jaw health by stimulating bone growth.
Omega-3s
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that human bodies don’t make on their own. Great for promoting heart health & reducing inflammation, they also help slow the build-up of plaque. Several types of fish, including salmon, chia seeds, flaxseeds & walnuts are good sources of omega-3s.
Fluoride
Best known for its presence in toothpastes, fluoride is a naturally occurring substance that helps prevent decay & strengthens enamel. Drink black & green teas for some natural fluoride, but be careful because those drinks can stain your teeth.
If you are interested in learning more about how what you eat affects your oral health, please ask us! We love sharing what we know with our patients.
Appointments Before & After Work or School & on Saturdays & Sundays!
Request Online or Call Today!
Related Posts
The Truth of Washington’s Teeth
At the dawn of the United States, before modern dentistry had evolved, tooth pain could reach historic levels. Nearly every U.S. schoolchild has heard the story of George Washington and his wooden teeth. While the story has gained a level of fiction in the style of tall tales—the false teeth he had were not wooden—the […]
It’s Possible but Rare to Have Extra Teeth
Many people are used to the idea of a tooth that feels superfluous. As we enter adulthood, our wisdom teeth come in, & a good chunk of us can’t fit them into our bite, leading to these molars being pulled. But some people experience an even greater abundance of teeth called supernumerary teeth, which are […]
Teeth Tell the Story of Humanity
While they no longer help form words, ancient people’s teeth can still tell us a lot about our shared history. Through preserved teeth, anthropologists & other scientists have been able to tell how we lived, who we were & what we ate. Teeth that survive the test of time illuminate a world long past.