Foods You Should Eat for Healthier Teeth

Everyone has heard how bad sugar can be for your teeth, but what about the foods that can be beneficial for your dental health? Plenty of foods can help clean, strengthen, and whiten teeth; some can even help fight off bacteria and plaque in the mouth. Much like the rest of your body, healthy teeth, gums, and overall good oral health require nutritious foods. So what are some of these foods you should add to your diet for healthier teeth?

• Leafy Vegetables – Certain greens such as kale, broccoli, and spinach are rich in calcium, folate, and other key nutrients and minerals that can promote healthy teeth, gums and oral health.
• Nuts – Nuts can be another great food for optimal oral health; they contain calcium and phosphorus. Certain nuts can even fight against bacteria growth in the mouth.
• Cranberries – Fresh cranberries are high in polyphenols; eating them can help prevent plaque growth in the mouth!
• Strawberries – Strawberries are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and even malic acid, which can be essential for oral health. Malic acid has even been shown to help whiten teeth!
• Carrots – Carrots contain a lot of different nutrients and minerals which can help strengthen and protect teeth, promoting optimal oral health.
• Apples – Not only do apples contain many essential nutrients and minerals that can help promote healthier teeth, but they are also fibrous and can clean your teeth while you eat them.
• Pears – Pears are also packed with many nutrients and minerals essential for healthy teeth. They may also help reduce acidity in the mouth.
• Shiitake Mushrooms – Shiitake Mushrooms contain a naturally occurring sugar called lentinan, which has been shown to disrupt the formation of plaque in the mouth.

These are the few suggestions of healthy fruits and vegetables by our Pearland Dentist that you can add to your diet to promote a healthier smile and mouth. There are many other fruits, vegetables, and other foods that are high in minerals and vitamins that can also be beneficial for your oral health. Avoiding foods high in sugars, carbs, and acidity can also help promote a healthier smile.