Most of us are well aware that good nutrition is important to have a healthy body, but did you know that many foods actually benefit our teeth too? Our teeth require nutrients to grow and stay healthy just like the rest of our bones, so adding nutritious foods to your diet will help you keep your smile healthy and bright. And they’re not only good for you; they taste good too! AH Smiles of Arlington Heights, IL wants their patients to know how to feed their teeth so they stay healthy and strong.
Cheese
Cheese is rich in calcium like milk and other dairy products, which promotes healthy, strong bones. Our bodies also use calcium to help build tooth enamel and replenish it as we age. Since our bodies cannot produce their own calcium — we take in this important mineral only by eating or drinking it — and because our bodies use it very quickly, be sure to have some cheese at snacktime to make sure you’re getting enough calcium in your diet.
Fish
You may already be getting plenty of calcium every day, but your body can’t absorb it without Vitamin D. Eating foods rich in vitamin D, such as fish like tuna and salmon, helps your body absorb the calcium you need to build strong teeth and bones. Another excellent source of vitamin D is one that is readily abundant and free for everyone: sunlight. Getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine on your body does wonders for keeping skin, hair, nails, teeth healthy.
Apples
Eating too many carbohydrates, starches, and sugary foods can cause tooth decay due to acids they produce in our mouths eating away at our tooth enamel. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, you can pick up an apple to satisfy that sweet tooth. Apples are rich in vitamin C, which helps reduce inflammation which can be good for those inflamed gums. Other vitamin C rich healthy snacks include oranges, carrots, broccoli and peppers.
Oatmeal
Whole grain oatmeal not only helps lower the risk of gum disease and but can also improve heart health. Eating oatmeal in the morning as part of a healthy breakfast can help your gums stay healthy, however, most pre-packaged oatmeal packets are loaded with sugar. Too much sugar will feed the bacteria that destroy tooth enamel. To keep the sugar down in your oat meal, make your own plain oats and add in some berries or cinnamon for sweetness.
Schedule an Appointment
Adding these tasty, healthy snacks to your diet can not only improve your dental health, but they’re great for your overall health too. To make sure your diet and dental hygiene regimen are keeping your teeth healthy, you should have your teeth examined regularly by an AH Smiles dentist or your area dentist. Schedule a consultation online or call (847) 230-9703 today.