What to eat for a healthy smile

What to eat for a healthy smile

09th July 2016

They say, “You are what you eat”. We don’t know whether that’s true or not, but we do know that what you eat can have serious effects on your teeth. Take sugar, for example. It’s a well-known fact that sugar harms your teeth and causes cavities. Any dentist will tell you that a diet high in sugar can really damage your teeth.

But are there any foods that are good for your teeth? The answer is yes; there are foods such as cheese, fish, and vegetables that are all beneficial for your smile.

If you want to know more about what foods can help give you a great smile, read on to find out.

Water

Plain water is great for your teeth. The pH of water is 7, which means that it’s completely neutral – neither an acid nor an alkaline. This means that when you drink water, it neutralises the acidity in your mouth and thereby prevents cavities. So make sure to drink plenty of water!

Cheese

Cheese is good for your teeth because it helps to combat acidity in your mouth, just like water does. Another good thing about cheese is that it’s high in calcium, which helps keep your teeth healthy and strong.

Fish

While it’s important to get enough calcium in your diet, it’s also vital to get a good amount of vitamin D, too, because, without it, your body can’t absorb the calcium properly.

The best source of vitamin D is sunlight, but unfortunately, we don’t see a lot of sun in the UK. But did you know that another good source of vitamin D is fatty fish such as salmon? By eating foods like fatty fish, you help your body absorb the calcium it needs to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Vegetables

Vegetables are high in minerals and vitamins, which you need for healthy teeth and gums. But did you also know that some vegetables also act a bit like dental floss? It’s true – foods high in fibre, such as raw carrots, help to dislodge other bits of foods from your teeth.

Chewing gum

While chewing gum isn’t actually a food, we’re including it on this list because it’s great for your teeth. That’s because the act of chewing stimulates saliva in your mouth, which helps to fight off germs.

Chocolate

Chocolate can actually be good for your teeth. It sounds unlikely, but it’s true! Cocoa beans, which are made from chocolate, contain a compound called CBH, which helps harden your enamel.

But before you go rushing off to the sweet shop to buy armloads of chocolate, you should know that not every kind of chocolate is good for your teeth. White chocolate and milk chocolate, for example, are high in sugar, which causes cavities. So make sure to go for dark chocolate instead because it contains much less sugar. In fact, when it comes to chocolate, the darker the better.

Conclusion

Thanks for reading this month’s blog post. We hope you’re feeling more informed about what to eat for healthy teeth. Join us next month when we’ll be looking at a different dental topic. See you then!