Brushing your teeth regularly and going to the dentist are essential to maintaining good dental health and hygiene for any individual. However, it shouldn’t stop there. Like any other part of your body, your mouth and teeth need the right amount of nutrition to stay strong and healthy. Your local dentist in Ann Arbor and Waterford recommends these foods that are good for your dental health.
Cheese, Milk, and Yogurt
If you love everything with cheese in it, then you’re in luck since cheese is one of the best foods for healthy teeth. This low-sugar dairy product is high in calcium and contains casein, which is a protein that is particularly useful for fortifying tooth enamel. The high calcium content on cheese and milk also contributes to maintaining good bone density. Milk is also great for lowering the acid levels in the mouth, which in turn helps fight tooth decay. On the other hand, Yogurt has all the nutritional benefits you can get from milk and more. Yogurt is an excellent source of probiotics that can help protect against cavities, gum disease, and even bad breath.
Water
Aside from being an essential part of everyone’s daily nutrition needs, water also provides a lot of benefits to your teeth. It is by far the healthiest drink out there as it helps you distribute other healthy nutrients throughout your body. Water is a miracle drink, especially if it’s fluoridated. Drinking fluoride-infused water is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to keep your teeth healthy and cavity-free. Whenever you drink water, you wash away any leftover food particles in your mouth while keeping your saliva levels high.
Leafy Greens
Vegetables should be the star of your diet as most leafy greens act as a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. They’re great sources of nutrition without being heavy and calorie-dense. Leafy greens like kale, spinach, chard, or collard greens are perfect examples of vegetables that should be part of your daily meals. They are primarily good sources of folic acid, calcium, and B vitamins that contribute to good health and strong teeth.
Nuts
Nuts are also great sources of calcium and phosphorus, both of which are crucial elements in developing and maintaining your teeth. You should make it a habit to put cashews, almonds, and brazil nuts in your meals and snacks to help fight bacteria that lead to tooth decay. Cashews, in particular, are known to stimulate saliva production, while walnuts are packed with nutrients like fiber, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, iron, niacin, potassium, and zinc.
Tea and Coffee
Are you surprised to see coffee on this list? Well, believe it or not, they also provide some nutritional benefits to your teeth and body. They are great sources of antioxidants, which can combat cell damage and reduce inflammation. Both of these drinks also plaque-causing bacteria. Roasted coffee, in particular, interferes with the absorption of bacteria into your teeth. However, if you want to avoid the detrimental effects of these beverages, you better stick with unsweetened coffee and tea. You should also use a straw when drinking them as they tend to stain your teeth.
Conclusion
Those are just a few examples of teeth-friendly food that can definitely help you maintain better dental health. If paired with good dental hygiene practices, you’ll have nothing to worry about when it comes to your teeth. Just make sure to visit your local dentist in Ann Arbor and Waterford for a regular dental checkup.
Taking good care of your teeth means going to a dentist every few months to avoid any dental problems. Dental House is your trusted clinic providing affordable dentistry to Ann Arbor and Waterford residents. Experience the Dental House difference every time you visit our clinic. Schedule an appointment today!