Dental-Friendly Yums to Smile About!

There are a number of foods that might not be so great for our oral health… but then there are also many that protect our smiles from gum disease and cavities! Let’s shed some light on some of the healthiest foods for our smiles:

1. Dairy products

Our tooth enamel is composed of minerals – and it’s when we lose those minerals that we experience tooth decay. Dairy is rich in calcium – a mineral that our teeth LOVE, and that can aid in the remineralization of tooth structure. Chew on a hard piece of cheese, or end a meal with a refreshing glass of milk… you’ll be helping to neutralize the levels of acidity in your mouth and protect your teeth from decay.

On the other hand, yogurt is a dairy product that not only contains a high level of calcium – but it’s also rich in probiotics which are thought to aid in reducing plaque and promoting gum health. Our Hamilton dentist thinks that’s a win-win!

2. Leafy green vegetables

Leafy green veggies like kale, broccoli, spinach and cabbage are rich in vitamins and minerals that our smiles definitely appreciate. Many of these greens are particularly high in vitamin C, which can actually help to reduce inflammation… a great benefit for periodontal health.

3. Fish

Fish such as tuna and wild salmon are rich in Vitamin D, which is great for dental health. We also need enough of this vitamin in our diets in order to properly absorb calcium.

4. Nuts

Nuts such as almonds and brazil nuts are chockfull of essential nutrients, like calcium and phosphorous. But be careful when you’re crunching on harder nuts – you don’t want to chip a tooth… or a filling! Soaking nuts in water overnight, or chewing on slices rather than eating them whole is a smart way to consume them.

5. Pears

Pears are fruits that aren’t acidic, and they’re quite friendly to our oral environment. Pears help to neutralize the acids in our mouth, and also have a high water content…which helps to wash away food particles from the teeth when snacking.

6. Celery

We like to call this “Nature’s Floss”! Crunching on a stick of celery is a bit like brushing and flossing in that it helps to scrape away bacteria and food debris from the teeth. Also packed with Vitamins A and C, your gums will appreciate when you snack on celery, too!

7. Garlic

This flavourful additive actually contains a property referred to as “allicin”, which has a strong antibacterial quality. This aids in combating gum disease and tooth decay by promoting a healthy balance of good mouth bacteria in the oral cavity.

Will you be incorporating more of these smile-friendly foods into your diet?