The Best Foods for Your Teeth

There are plenty of good habits you can build to look after your teeth. We all know that regular flossing, brushing and dental check ups are a good way to avoid tooth problems. But did you know the food and drinks you consume can also have a big impact on your dental health? Brushing and flossing are a critical part of your daily routine, but tooth health begins with your diet. Eating and drinking the right things contributes to better overall dental health. In this article we want to cover the best foods for your teeth and how you can look after your teeth beyond brushing!

Dairy Products

Food and drinks made from dairy are a staple in Australia. Dairy products like milk, yoghurt and cheese provide more than 10 essential bodily nutrients, including protein, carbs, Vitamins A and B12, calcium, phosphorous, zinc and more.

These essential nutrients work together in the body to provide energy and look after lots of important functions. They also work together to protect your teeth and gums. This is attributed to the casein protein found in dairy. Combined with calcium and phosphorus, casein can form a protective film over the surface of your teeth and help prevent damage from bacteria and acids. Just remember to steer clear of sugary milk drinks, like flavoured milk or bottled ice coffee.

Fruits and Vegetables

Eating your fruits and vegetables is the best way to look after your body, so why should your teeth be any different? High in fibre, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and water content, fruit and vegetables look after your teeth by promoting saliva production and gently scrubbing your teeth as you chew. Make sure you’re getting plenty of the following fruits and vegetables in your diet:

Fish and Seafood

Calcium is one of the most important minerals for looking after the health of your bones, brain, teeth and gums. Calcium is relatively easy to find as part of a balanced diet that’s full of leafy greens and dairy products. The only catch is that calcium absorption requires Vitamin D. You can get Vitamin D from spending 15-20 minutes per day in the sun, but fatty fish like salmon and mackerel are also a great source of it. Incorporating fish into your regular diet helps to make sure you’re always stocked up on the calcium that your teeth and gums need.

Chocolate

Eaten in moderation, dark chocolate has long been recognised as one of the world’s best superfoods. 

Regularly eating small amounts of dark chocolate that’s at least 70% cacao has also been shown to contribute to tooth health. This is because dark chocolate (the darker the better) contains Cacao Bean Husk (CBH), a compound with a similar chemical makeup to caffeine. In small doses CBH hardens the protective enamel on your teeth, preventing decay and common tooth problems such as cavities.

It’s important to stick to dark chocolate though. Milk chocolate is high in sugar and can have the opposite effect on your teeth.

Green Tea and Water

When we talk about the best foods for your teeth, we can’t forget to mention the drinks that go along with them! For overall tooth health, two drinks stand above the rest:

• Water. Water is one of the most important parts of your body. When it comes to tooth health, the water in your saliva is critical to neutralising bacteria, breaking down food, cleansing your mouth of acids and sugars and preventing tooth decay. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day and after eating also helps to flush away food debris and prevent plaque build up.
• Green tea. Leafy teas (but especially green and black tea) are rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols are a naturally occurring compound that’s often found in leafy plants and vegetables. There’s strong evidence to show that polyphenols have a positive effect on your teeth by helping to kill off bacteria that can eventually lead to tooth decay.

Ready for a Dental Check Up? Make an Appointment with Camira Dental Today!

Flossing, brushing and watching what you eat are some of the best tools you have to look after your teeth. For everything else, regular dental examinations will go a long way to protecting your oral health and keeping your teeth sparkling! Camira Dental is a family owned practice that performs a wide range of dental services from our practice in Ipswich. We perform all general check ups and tooth cleaning, children’s dentistry, dentures and more. Our experienced team is always here to provide the friendly advice you need to help look after your teeth. Contact us today if you’d like to know more about tooth-friendly foods or if you would like to make an appointment!