Add some of these amazing foods into your diet for healthier teeth and gums.
Since everything that we put in our bodies impacts our health, it should come as no surprise that the foods and drinks we consume each and every day can also impact the health of our teeth and gums. Since our diet has the ability to increase our risk for cavities and gum disease, our Kalamazoo, MI, dentist Dr. Mark Richardson wants to take a little time to shed light on what foods we should be eating for a healthier smile.
Dairy Products
You might be surprised to discover that cheese, yogurt and milk are actually great for your smile, and for multiple reasons. For one, dairy products contain calcium, which is important for keeping bones and teeth strong and healthy. Secondly, cheese helps to stimulate the production of saliva, which can help to remove food and bacteria from between teeth.
While this doesn’t give you full license to eat an entire brick of cheese, know that your afternoon skim-milk string cheese may actually be scrubbing away bacteria from your teeth.
Crisp, Crunchy Veggies
Just like cheese can be a great way to get saliva flowing, so too can crunchy veggies like carrots and celery. These crisp foods are great natural little cleaners for your teeth and gums, and they also offer a boost of healthy vitamins and nutrients that can greatly benefit your smile. A few slices of cheese and some bite-sized veggies for an afternoon snack, anyone?
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens such as spinach, arugula and kale are also important to add to your smile-friendly diet. After all, they are chock full of amazing vitamins and nutrients such as folic acid that keep your mouth healthy by fortifying teeth and preventing cavities. Folic acid may also reduce the risk of periodontal disease in pregnant women.
Nuts
Nuts are a great way to incorporate healthy fats into your diets. In fact, certain nuts such as cashews and almonds are great bacteria-fighters. They also contain a variety of important nutrients and vitamins, which not only promote healthy teeth and gums but also can bolster your immune system and protect against infections.
If you have questions about your current diet and how it could be impacting your oral health, our Kalamazoo, MI, dentist would be happy to discuss this and any concerns you might have. Give Richardson Family Dentistry a call at (269) 343-6907 to schedule an appointment.