A healthy diet is incredibly important for the functioning of our whole body, but it is particularly crucial for the health of our teeth. What constitutes healthy diet and how can we ensure that we get the nutrients, vitamins and minerals we need for strong, white, and cavity-free teeth?
The best way to secure the health of your teeth and gums is to make sure you eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Fresh green leaves, watermelon and apples, for example, contain plenty of water; our teeth need water to stay hydrated and clean. Eating a diet rich in crunchy fruit and vegetables, therefore, keeps your smile fresh and bright.
Why healthy diet is important to your teeth?
Teeth and bones need the right amount of calcium to be strong and healthy. You can get calcium from dairy products such as milk, cheese, nuts and soya. By far the healthiest option is to aim for dairy that is low in saturated fats such as skimmed milk, low fat cheeses such as cottage cheese or ricotta cheese. Non-dairy milk alternatives, such as almond milk, provide a very high amount of calcium with minimal fat content.
Nuts and dairy are also rich in phosphorous, a mineral needed to keep your teeth in top condition. Phosphorous re-introduces minerals in your tooth enamel after eating acidic foods, which remove healthy minerals from your teeth while you chew.
What foods can damage your teeth?
Foods that are generally considered a necessary dietary addition to your everyday meals for the health of your whole body might be secret weapons against your teeth. Even if they are very good for your overall health and rich in vitamin C, the following acidic foods should be eaten as part of a larger meal in order to lessen the corrosive effect of the acid they contain: citrus fruits, kiwi fruit and tomatoes. Pickled vegetables such as gherkins are also potentially detrimental to your teeth enamel. So go easy on them!
Some foods, whilst they are perfectly harmless in moderation, can stain your teeth. We are talking about tea, coffee and red wine. A cup of steaming hot coffee has many health benefits but the colour of your teeth’s enamel is not one of them!
Keep sugars to a minimum
Last but not least, we should try to keep sweets and sugar intake to a minimum. Some foods you should also consume in moderation, due to their high sugar content, are white breads, cake, muffins, fizzy drinks, sweets and chocolates. It is self-explanatory: sugar attacks your teeth bringing about cavities, which can lead to painful decay and expensive dental bills!
In order to keep your smile bright and healthy don’t forget to floss and brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Visit your dentist every 6 months and your teeth will be white and healthy.
