Foods You Can Eat for Healthier Teeth

Maintaining strong and healthy teeth involves not only proper oral hygiene through brushing and flossing, but a healthy diet as well. Not only can eating certain foods strengthen your teeth, but avoiding certain food choices can help your smile as well.

Dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt, contain calcium and a special protein called casein. Casein can help build up the surface of teeth to provide additional protection against decay.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are important for a healthy mouth, in part because the increased chewing can help increase acid-neutralizing saliva. The best choices include celery for its tooth cleaning fibers and pears for their acid neutralizing properties.

Water is a daily necessity for overall health. However, tap water that has been fluoridated can help strengthen the teeth in addition to helping wash away food particles following a meal or snack.

Sugar free gum and mints, especially those that contain xylitol, can help reduce the cavity producing effects of plaque. This artificial sweetener prevents the natural acid producing action of bacteria that forms in plaque, thus reducing the risk of decay.

Foods that are sugary or starchy help to feed the bacteria that form within plaque on the teeth and gum line. This causes acid and toxins to be released into the mouth leading to tooth decay and damage to gums and bone. Stop in to see our North Hollywood dentist to see how your diet is affecting your oral health.