For those of you who do not know, March is National Nutrition Month in the United States! While we should always be mindful of eating nutritious foods, this month gives us the opportunity to learn new things about the foods we eat. While most everyone knows what types of foods are bad for our teeth, many people do not know which foods are considered great choices when it comes to keeping teeth healthy.
Foods Suggested By Our Local Green Bay Family Dentists
Without a doubt, eating right by making healthy food choices can go far in keeping your teeth healthy. Here are five foods to incorporate into your diet that will help keep your teeth healthy and strong by fighting bacteria, removing plaque and strengthening enamel.
1. Cheese
Because cheese is made from milk, which is a great source of calcium, eating cheese can help protect your teeth from tooth decay. One of the best and easiest ways to fight acid erosion on teeth is to eat a small piece of cheese after every meal. Cheese contains alkali, which neutralizes the acid left by the food you’ve eaten. Instead of choosing soft cheese like feta or brie, instead eat a small piece of hard cheese like cheddar after you’ve enjoyed a meal. Because cheese contains fat, you should not over-indulge so eat cheese in moderation.
2. Apples
We’ve all heard the phrase, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” There is actually a lot of truth to that saying as far as keeping your teeth healthy is concerned. When you take a bite of an apple, it increases saliva flow, which, in turn, can help reduce the build up of cavity-causing plaque. Plus, apples are loaded with vitamins and minerals your teeth need to stay healthy.
3. Carrots & Celery
Carrots and celery help protect teeth in two ways. First, both of these foods require extra chewing which helps produce more saliva to neutralize acids produced by bacteria. Secondly, chewing these naturally abrasive foods massages the gums and cleans between teeth.
4. Yogurt
Yogurt contains calcium and phosphates that re-mineralize the teeth. Yogurt also contains a protein called casein that is helpful in fortifying the surface of the teeth. This protein (which is also found in milk) is present in a re-mineralizing paste called MI Paste, a product prescribed by dentists for patients who are particularly prone to tooth decay.
5. Kiwi Fruit
Kiwis are packed with Vitamin C. In fact, just one large kiwi provides you with more than 100% of the recommended daily amount of Vitamin C. If your diet is lacking in Vitamin C, the collagen in your gums can break down, making you more susceptible to the bacteria that causes periodontal disease. This is why it would be wise to incorporate kiwis into your regular diet as no other fruit packs as big of a Vitamin C punch than the kiwi fruit.
Contact Oral Health Associates To Keep Your Teeth Healthy
In observance of National Nutrition month, our Green Bay dentists, Drs. Gardner, Glime, and Koch, will be reminding our patients throughout the month of March about the importance of eating a healthy diet. Not only does eating well help maintain good body health, but it also goes far in protecting your teeth and gums against tooth decay and periodontal disease. If you have any questions about diet and your teeth, please contact us during regular office hours as we are always available to speak with you!
