Good nutrition is not only one of the pillars of our health, but also of our dental health: The nutrients that make up our diet have a direct impact on the maintenance of dental enamel and oral health.
These are 7 foods that should be part of your diet for stronger, healthier teeth:
Top foods for healthy teeth
Cheese, yogurt and other dairy products source of calcium to prevent tooth decay
A sufficient amount of dairy products is one of the most important pillars of a balanced diet due to their high calcium levels. Lack of calcium increases the risk of tooth decay. Regular consumption of dairy foods such as cheese or yogurts also regulates the pH of the mouth, thus reducing the risk of gum disease.
Yogurt also contains probiotics, natural bacteria that are beneficial for teeth and gums, as they fight the bacteria that form dental plaque.
Leafy green vegetables source of folic acid
Green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach or chard contain many vitamins and minerals, as well as a high calcium content, which protect tooth enamel. They are highly recommended for their folic acid content, a type of vitamin B with numerous benefits for preventing gum disease.
An apple a day for a healthy and clean mouth
Fruits are the healthiest sweets that exist, because although they have natural sugars, they also have a high fiber and water content. Eating an apple a day will provide vitamins to our body and activate the production of saliva, which eliminates bacteria and food debris accumulated on the teeth, protecting the tooth enamel.
Celery is a natural dentifrice.
As with apples, celery activates chewing, saliva production and its fibers act like a toothbrush, scrubbing away food particles and bacteria. It also contains vitamins A and C, which promote gingival health, and malic acid, a natural substance that promotes saliva production and eliminates stains on the teeth.
Protective oily fish against bacteria
Oily fish is a necessary food in any balanced diet due to its high content of Omega 3 acids. It is also very rich in Vitamin D, which facilitates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and therefore helps the gums and teeth to be much more resistant to bacteria. Some recommended oily fish are salmon, mackerel, sardines or tuna.
Eggs, phosphorus capsules
In addition to calcium, phosphorus is the other crucial nutrient for protecting tooth enamel and supporting teeth. Eggs are rich in phosphorus.
Natural anti-inflammatory green tea for your gums
Although we tend to discourage tea and coffee because of their ability to affect the color of teeth, green tea is not as aggressive in this regard and is an important source of antioxidants such as catechin, which helps prevent gum inflammation and thus prevent periodontal disease. However, it is advisable to have a check-up with our periodontist in Barcelona to avoid possible complications.
Foods that are detrimental to oral health and esthetics
The greatest enemy of oral health is sugar. Bacteria metabolize it, generating acids that affect tooth enamel, thus giving rise to the well-known cavities. Refined sugars present in processed foods, such as industrial sweets, should be especially avoided.
To preserve a natural white color, it is important to avoid foods that contain dyes in their composition. Some examples are coffee, tea, carbonated beverages such as soft drinks, chocolate, citrus and colored fruits, beets, bottled sauces (ketchup, soy sauce, fried tomato, etc.), some spices such as curry, and of course food coloring. It is also necessary to be careful with those foods that generate dental sensitivity, in order to take into account those that also damage our oral health.
If we eat food that is harmful to our teeth, we should keep in mind to maintain good dental hygiene, since eliminating food debris that remains adhered to our teeth is essential to avoid the accumulation of bacterial plaque and thus prevent dental pathologies.
