How Nutrition Affects Dental Health: Foods That Strengthen Teeth

Introduction:

Did you know that great oral health isn’t just about your oral care routine? Good oral health is a combination of brushing your teeth and what you eat. Nutrition plays a vital role in your oral health and is what helps keep your teeth and gums strong. Much like anything else in your body, your teeth need proper nutrients to stay healthy. In this blog, we will go over how nutrition impacts your dental health and what foods are essential to keep those pearly whites strong.

The Impact of Nutrition on Dental Health:

Because your diet impacts your oral health, there are certain foods that can either promote your oral health, or create tooth decay and gum disease. Let’s talk about the bad food groups first. We all know candy is a major factor in the decline of your teeth. Anything with lots of sugar or acid can erode tooth enamel and cause cavities. The foods that will give your teeth the proper nutrients are going to be foods that are rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus. These types of foods will help strengthen your teeth and prevent tooth decay that candy can give you.

Let’s go over those foods that will strengthen your teeth. These include:

• Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, and yogurt are high in calcium and phosphorus. These two minerals are essential for the strength in your teeth. Calcium will help strengthen your tooth enamel and phosphorus will work calcium to help protect and repair any tooth decay.
• Leafy Greens:Spinach and kale are known for being packed with vitamins and minerals including calcium and Vitamin C. These are important for maintaining healthy gums. Adding some leafy greens to all of your meals will help give your dental health a strong nutrient boost.
• Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, carrots, and celery are some essential fruits and vegetables that can help aid in cleaning your teeth and stimulating saliva production. You need a strong saliva production to help neutralize any acids and also wash away any food particles or bacteria in the mouth. By chewing on these foods, you can help remove any unwanted plaque and debris from your teeth.
• Nuts and Seeds: These are a great choice in your nutrition because they are high in protein, are a great healthy fat, and contain calcium and phosphorus. Also, by chewing these foods, you can help aid in your saliva production which we already discussed why it is important in your oral health.
• Fish: Samon, tuna, and mackerel are very high in Vitamin D, which is very important for calcium absorption and your bone health. Because your body uses Vitamin D to utilize calcium effectively, your body is creating the optimal dental strength which helps reduce the risk of any tooth decay or cavities in the future.

Conclusion:

Make sure you are adding in nutrient-rich foods into your diet. This is very important for maintaining optimal dental health and strength. Make sure you choose foods that are high in calcium, phosphorus, Vitamin D, and Vitamin C. These nutrients will help aid in strengthening your teeth, promoting healthy gums, and reducing your risk of any cavities or decays in the future. By making these smart food choices, you are making the decision to support your oral health and create a bright, lasting, beautiful smile.