Do you ever consider the connection between nutrition and oral health? The foods you eat have a major influence on the health of your smile. By including these nutritious foods in your daily routine more often, you can help keep your smile glowing from the inside out!
Leafy Greens and Cruciferous Vegetables
Leafy greens like spinach and kale are great for your teeth because they’re low in sugar and packed with tooth-strengthening vitamins and minerals. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower are also excellent choices for healthy teeth, as they are low in sugar and high in nutrients that help strengthen teeth. Cauliflower even contains a compound that helps fight the bacteria that cause cavities!
Crunchy, Water-Based Vegetables
Vegetables like carrots and celery are excellent for your teeth. They’re low in sugar, which helps to prevent cavities, and their high water content helps to keep the mouth hydrated. The crunchy texture of these vegetables even allows them to help scrub away plaque and bacteria from your teeth as you chew!
Low-Sugar Fruits
Similar to vegetables, fruits like strawberries and oranges are low in sugar and high in water content, both of which help maintain healthy teeth! The natural sugars found in these fruits are much less likely to cause cavities than processed sugars.
The acidic nature of fruits like oranges and strawberries can also help to break down plaque and bacteria within the smile. Even better, these foods are packed with Vitamin C — a nutrient known to help keep the gums healthy!
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds, like almonds, chia seeds, and flax seeds, are great for healthy teeth because they are packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and nutrients that help strengthen the tooth enamel.
Green Tea
Did you know green tea is high in antioxidants? These antioxidants can help fight against the bacteria known to cause cavities. Include a cup of green tea in your daily routine for a healthy dose of smile-supporting nutrients!
Next time you’re at the grocery store, be sure to pick up a few extra of these healthy foods for your smile. Your teeth will thank you!
Do you have any favorite healthy foods for your teeth? Be sure to get them the next time you're at the grocery store! And be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist if it’s been a while since your last preventive checkup. Regular dental visits are important for keeping your smile looking its best!