Did you know that there are some foods you can eat that can help you with your oral health? Yes! Several different types of foods can help you stave off plaque, help with bad breath, and even help with inflammation.
Most people already know that too many sweet foods and starchy foods can get stuck in teeth and even start to break down the enamel. Chips, potatoes, and bread get stuck between the teeth; without a good flossing routine, they stay there.
Fizzy drinks have a lot of citric acid in them, which wears away tooth enamel and a lot of sugar. The biggest surprise for many people is that all of these foods keep acting on the tooth for about 20 minutes until your saliva reduces the impact.
Which foods make your dentist happiest?
Fluoride Foods
Many foods have fluoride in them, and in most cases, it will be in your tap water, too. Grapes and raisins have a high level of fluoride and are a great addition to salads or cereals. Keep an eye on how many raisins you have because they often have a lot of added sugars!
Spinach is fluoride-rich, and while there is fluoride in potatoes, you’ll need to be mindful of cleaning your teeth after eating them. Seafood is great for your skin, brain - and teeth! Shrimp and crab legs have a large amount of fluoride, too. Your dentist can suggest extra ways to get the right amount of fluoride in your diet.
Dairy
Plain yogurt (low or no sugar), milk, and cheese are great at making your mouth water. The saliva production is great for keeping your teeth and gum healthy. Many different types of dairy have phosphates and calcium in them, which helps to give your teeth back the minerals they might need. The NIH published a paper in March 2023 (Impact of Dairy Products and Plant-Based Alternatives on Dental Health: Food Matrix Effects - PMC) that shows the replenishment of minerals helps to rebuild tooth enamel.
When it comes to dairy, grass-fed is the best option as they are high in K2.
Leafy Greens
Chard, kale, spinach, and arugula are all great for leaving your teeth feeling cleaner. Since they contain a bumper amount of prebiotics, they load your mouth with nitrite-reducing bacteria. Just like dairy, dark leafy greens can help to add minerals to your teeth that can help them retain their structure over time. There has never been a better time to have a cheese and spinach omelet!
Fish
Vitamin D can aid in the fight against tooth decay and works with the K2 from grass-fed dairy and vitamin A found in kale, spinach, and lettuce. Where there is a deficiency in any of these vitamins and minerals, it could lead to tooth decay and a weakened enamel.
Fatty fish is the best option, so things like trout, salmon, and tuna are ideal - not to mention the omega-3 they contain helps with reducing inflammation and some of the symptoms of periodontitis. There are many other options for reducing inflammation in the body and supporting gum and tooth health: The Top 30 Anti-Inflammatory Foods — Andrew Merle.