Today I was driving back home from a garden centre with Smooth radio on and heard cheese as a trending food this week, I couldn’t figure out if it was international cheese day or something else, however it gave me an idea to change my blog topic from “cleaning in between teeth” to “best foods for healthy teeth” because cheese is definitely one of them.
We always talk about the diet which is bad for teeth but rarely talk about foods which are good for teeth. When it comes to health we truly are what we eat. So let’s talk about the 7 best foods for your teeth.
Cheese
If you are a cheese fan then this is good news for you. When you eat cheese it increases the pH of your mouth… what does that mean? Let me explain, cheese helps in neutralising or lowering the acidity in the mouth which as a result lowers the risk of tooth decay and enamel erosion. Also chewing any food including cheese increases saliva release which has a flushing action (rinsing the mouth). Cheese is also a source of calcium and protein which makes enamel of your teeth stronger. However, something to watch for is its calorie content, cheese can be fatty so eat in small amounts and of course stay away from processed versions.
Leafy greens
Greens always make their way into the list of healthy foods and yes they are on the list here too. Most of you might find it difficult to get them into your diet, so why not try to add some baby spinach in an omelette or a pizza, rocket into a salad or throw some greens into your next smoothie. Promise you won’t go green! I just imagined the green emoji face whilst I was writing the sentence.
Apples
The general advice is to stay away from sweet and acidic foods, however there are some exceptions and apples is one of them. Apples and similar fruits are also water and fibre rich. Eating such fruits causes saliva to flow in the mouth which helps in rinsing away small food particles and bacteria due to its flushing action. The fibrous texture of apples can stimulate the gums too. So why not try some apple slices after your meal or in a salad to give your mouth a good scrubbing and it’ll tide you over until your next brushing session.
Carrots
Very similar in their fibrous and water content like apples with less acidity which is even better. They are a good source of vitamin A too. Carrots with humous or in a salad can be a very nice way of getting them in. Even a few baby carrots on their own can be worth trying.
Celery
Great source of Vitamins A and C, which due to their antioxidant properties are good for healthy gums. They have a high water content and are very fibrous so they act a bit like a tooth brush but of course not a substitute for a good tooth brushing session. Celery tastes great with cream cheese and some swear by a nice celery soup. Give it a try.
Almonds and nuts
Almonds and similar nuts are a good source of calcium and protein and are loaded with fibre. They are quite low in their sugar content too. Enjoy a handful of almonds with your breakfast or lunch, throw them in a salad, stir fry or top your porridge with them.
Yoghurt
Similar to cheese, yoghurt is high in calcium and protein, which makes it brilliant for healthy teeth. The probiotics found in live yoghurt also benefit your gums and push out cavity causing bacteria. There are so many varieties of yoghurt these days so try the plain variety with no added sugar.
I hope you found this information useful, we’ll keep adding some useful diet tips in our blogs so stay tuned. If you have any questions about any foods or drinks please do not hesitate to contact us and we’ll try our best to find the answer for you.
Love n care
Dr Aisha Ahmed
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