Add tooth-friendly foods to your diet and improve your overall dental health.

Did you know that besides daily brushing and flossing and routine dental checkups, getting the right nutrients can help your overall dental health? We all know that we should limit our intake of sugars, including candy, sodas, and desserts, but certain foods can help strengthen your teeth, which can also help keep your smile healthy. Take a look at some of the foods the team at Dental Care Associates of Buffalo recommend to boost your dental health.

Build strong teeth and bones with calcium-rich foods.

Just as you need calcium to keep your bones healthy, it also helps to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Calcium aids in strengthening bone density, so if you are looking for foods that are rich in calcium, look to things like low-fat cheese and other dairy options. Other foods that are rich in calcium include dark leafy greens, like spinach and kale, as well as tortillas and canned salmon. Soybeans are another option if you’re looking to add more calcium to your diet, especially if you’re vegan. Another way to get calcium is through calcium-fortified foods, like many breakfast cereals.

Crunchy fruits and vegetables can be natural cleaners for your teeth.

If you want to keep your smile clean, look for crunchy fruits and vegetables. The fibrous textures of foods like apples, celery, and carrots can act as “nature’s toothbrushes” by helping to swipe away bacteria that forms in the mouth as you chew. The extra chewing that needs to happen to break down these foods also helps to produce saliva, which naturally cleans your teeth and aids in keeping the pH levels in your mouth balanced.

Apples make great substitutes for sugary items you may be craving because they are naturally sweet. Besides promoting extra chewing due to their crunchiness, carrots and celery are also high in fiber and Vitamin A.

Support gum and dental health with foods high in vitamin C.

If you are looking for superfoods to help increase the health of your gums, choose ones that are high in Vitamin C. Foods rich in Vitamin C help with collagen production, which can help improve the health of your gums.

Some of the best sources of Vitamin C are citrus fruits, like oranges and grapefruits. Other foods that are great sources of Vitamin C are strawberries and bell peppers. A great way to add a boost of Vitamin C to your diet is by adding one of these citrus superfoods to a smoothie.

Other vitamins that are great for gum health include Vitamins A and D. Vitamin A-rich foods include orange-colored foods like carrots and salmon. Foods rich in Vitamin D include oily fish, like mackerel. There are some foods that are fortified with Vitamin D, like milk and breakfast cereals.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for extra dairy!

Dairy products are an important part of your overall health because they are rich in calcium, which is a mineral that helps to fortify bones and teeth to make them strong. Foods rich in dairy are ice cream, cheese, yogurt, and milk. It’s easy to add a side of cottage cheese to your breakfast, or add a serving of yogurt to your lunch.

Besides helping to build strong bones and teeth, dairy products help keep the pH in your mouth balanced. Having a balanced pH helps to protect your teeth from cavities, which can happen when sugars are present in your mouth.

Look to lean proteins for added phosphorus.

If you are looking for healthy proteins to add to your diet, try foods that are high in phosphorus. Phosphorus helps calcium work to build strong bones and teeth. Some foods that are high in phosphorus include tree nuts, like almonds, as well as lean proteins, like fish and tofu. Beans are also a great source of phosphorus, and can easily be added to any meal for extra flavor and nutritional value.

Schedule your biannual dental evaluation.

If you are taking care of your oral health by eating some of the foods recommended above, you are doing your part in helping your oral health. In addition to brushing and flossing daily, Dental Care Associates of Buffalo recommends you visit our office at least twice a year for a dental checkup. Our team will perform a dental evaluation to check for any cavities or other dental abnormalities. By visiting our office, we can do what’s needed to keep your mouth healthy and bright!