Everyone wants a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. After all, healthy teeth and gums don’t just enhance your appearance, they can help promote good overall health and keep you feeling great, too. So what’s the best way to keep your mouth in tip-top shape? Brushing and flossing twice a day, along with routine dental exams and cleanings are essential, but they aren’t the only steps you should be taking. What you eat and drink can play a huge role in the health and appearance of your mouth. Check out these foods that are known to prevent tooth decay and promote a dazzling smile. Your mouth will be sure to thank you.

Fruits & Vegetables

We all know that fruits and vegetables are good for our bodies, but did you also know that they’re good for your teeth? While some fruits are naturally high in sugar, they also contain substantial amount of fibre and water. This is beneficial because while the fibre can help scrub your teeth clean in the same way a toothbrush would, the water found in fruits and vegetables will help your mouth create the saliva necessary to wash away bacteria caused by food. Better still, many fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants and vitamin C that will help keep your gums strong.

Cheese

When it comes to protecting your teeth’s enamel, calcium is a must. Unfortunately, many foods that people eat every day contain a lot of acid that can cause erosion, such as citrus fruits, sweets, soda, wine, and bread. Cheese can help your mouth combat this acid, however, and aids your mouth in the saliva production it needs to wash the acid away, making it an excellent option to add to your dessert menu.

Fish

Eating cheese, milk, and yogurt on a regular basis is a great way to ensure that you’re getting the calcium your teeth need to stay healthy and strong, but it won’t do you much good if you don’t have enough vitamin D to absorb it. To ensure that your body has an adequate amount of vitamin D to take in the calcium your teeth require to stay healthy, eating fish can help. Salmon and other naturally fatty fish, in particular, are sure to provide the vitamin D your body needs to put its calcium to good use. Oh, and a few hours spent in the sun!

Water

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times. Drinking water is the secret to a healthy smile! Not only does water help your mouth produce saliva, but it also is a vital part of breaking down the food you eat, neutralising acids, and preventing cavities. Do your mouth a favour and swap out the fruit juice or soda for good old-fashioned H2O at meal time. If you do choose to drink other acidic beverages, such as coffee or wine, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterwards.

Green or Black Tea

Both green and black tea contain polyphenols that are effective at killing the bacteria found in plaque, which prevents it from multiplying or attacking the enamel of your teeth. Because tea is brewed with water, a cup of tea can also strengthen your teeth by adding more fluoride to your diet. This makes green or black tea an excellent choice to enjoy during or after your meal when your teeth could be exposed to harmful acids.

Dark Chocolate

Surprise! Chocolate is good for your teeth. Well, dark chocolate that is. Dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cacao has been proven to keep teeth strong thanks to a compound called CBH that fights tooth decay. Be sure to enjoy it in moderation, of course, and brush your teeth after enjoying a piece or two.

For more tips on maintaining your pearly whites, the trusted team at The Grove Dental Rouse Hill is here to help. Call today to schedule your routine dental appointment or professional whitening with Dr Britt!