Food That Is Good For Your Teeth
You’ve heard about foods that are bad for you teeth, like candy and soda. But did you know there are foods that are good for you teeth? Eating these foods can help stop and in some cases, even reverse the damage done to your teeth by acid and bacteria. While these foods may be good for your teeth, they’re no replacement for regular brushing, flossing and visits to your dentist.
1. Sugarless Gum
Sugarless gum is good for your teeth because it chewing it helps produce saliva, which is your body’s natural way of washing acid and bacteria off your teeth. Sugarless gum also contains strengthening agents like calcium and phosphate that can reinforce the enamel of your teeth. Also, many sugarless gums contain a form of alcohol that kills damaging bacteria.
2. Dairy Products
Milk, cheese and other dairy products contain calcium, an essential nutrient use in building and maintaining your teeth and bones. Consuming dairy products helps supply your body with the materials it needs to keep your teeth healthy and strong. In addition, dairy products contain protein that is also essential to good tooth health.
3. Water
Water is an essential part of life, but is especially good for your teeth as well. Water cleans harmful acid and bacteria off your teeth, similar in action to saliva. Water also naturally contains fluoride, which strengthens your teeth against damage. In addition to the naturally occurring fluoride, most municipal water supplies in the US are enriched with added fluoride, which makes tap water an easy to access source for this essential component of good tooth health.
4. Leafy Vegetables
Leafy vegetables clean your teeth in a couple of ways. First, they promote saliva production, which as mentioned helps clean your teeth. They also clean your teeth themselves as you chew them up, physically scrubbing the plaque and bacteria from your teeth.
While these foods are very healthy for your teeth and overall health, they’re no substitute for regular brushing and flossing. While in some they can halt or reverse damage to your teeth, they’re also no replacement for regular visits to your dentist. Healthy eating is just one component of good dental health, and should serve to supplement good oral care practices.