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Good Foods for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Good Foods for Healthy Teeth and Gums

A few months ago, your dentist in Pasadena talked about foods that can damage your teeth, but according to Web MD, there are some foods and beverages that can actually help your teeth and gums. Eating the right foods can help prevent plaque, which leads to gum disease.

Instead of those sugary sodas and acidic sports and energy drinks, opt for water or unsweetened tea, if you must have the fizz, go for carbonated water. Adding lemon or lime can also help if you are not a fan of water.

Your dentist understands that fruits and veggies are not only good for your body, but munching on celery, nature’s dental floss, and chewing on carrots, pears and apples can help clear away food particles helping prevent tooth decay.

The old saying, “Milk does a body good,” applies to more than just bones; drinking milk makes your teeth stronger because of calcium. Calcium can help prevent periodontal disease as it help to keep your bones health and strong. Women are twice as likely to get gum disease as men are because their bodies do not absorb it as well. According to your dentist, it is imperative that you drink and eat foods that are rich in calcium. Drink low fat milk and you will still be getting the nutrients you need without the added fat.

Fatty fish such as mackerel and salmon are good sources of vitamin D that is essential for healthy teeth and gums. Your dentist recommends eating heart healthy fatty fish for calcium, healthy Omega 3’s and vitamin D.

Strawberries can actually help clean your teeth. In fact, strawberries are loaded with vitamin C that can help strengthen your gums. Enjoy about a half of a cup of fresh strawberries every day, and your body will be getting over 70 percent of its daily vitamin C requirement.

Your dentist recommends adding nuts to your diet. Nuts are loaded with phosphorus, which helps to promote healthy teeth. Cashews, peanuts, almonds, and walnuts help your mouth produce saliva needed to neutralize the bacteria in your mouth. Chomping on nuts also massages your gums helping clear food particles in between your teeth.

Snack on a cheese platter after a meal and your teeth will thank you for it. Cheese, like nuts, produces saliva and is loaded with phosphates and calcium helping to put back much-needed minerals that may become lost when you consume foods that are not so good for your teeth.

For more information regarding good food for healthy teeth and gums, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can help you put the right things into your mouth.