What to Eat for Healthy Teeth

February 9, 2012 | Categories: Healthy Eating & Drinking, Oral Hygiene

The food you eat can help build strong teeth, but some foods will harm them. Bacteria in the mouth can convert sugars from the foods you eat to acids, which attack the enamel on teeth and start the decay cycle.

Food that will improve your mouth’s health are:

• Cheese, meat, nuts, and milk:  protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth.
• Firm/crunchy fruits, such as apples and pears and vegetables: high water content in these dilutes the effects of sugar and stimulates the flow of saliva.
• Water: help keep your mouth moist and helps wash away acids that cause bacteria and fluoride in water strengthens tooth enamel.
• Milk: has calcium and vitamin D which are important for your teeth and jaw health.
• Green or black tea: contain an antioxidant plant compound that prevents plaque from adhering to your teeth and help reduce your chance of developing cavities and gum disease.
• Sugarless gum with xylitol: can help remove food particles from teeth and xylitol reduces the amount of mouth bacteria and protects teeth from acid.

Food that will harm your teeth are:

• Candy, desserts, breads, fries, bananas and dried fruit: have a lot of sugar and can stick to teeth and start bacteria growth.
• Soft drinks, lemonade, coffee or tea with added sugar: exposes your teeth to sugar and acids that will decay your teeth.

Make sure you eat nutritious foods that are healthy for teeth, and not food that is sweet or sticky unless you brush your teeth after eating.