7 Best foods for your teeth

7 Best foods for your teeth

21 Sep 2024

Today, I was driving back home from a garden centre with a smooth radio on, and I 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 the 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 that is bad for our teeth but rarely talk about foods that are good for our 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 neutralise or lower 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 strengthens the enamel of your teeth. However, something to watch for is its calorie content; cheese can be fatty, so eat it 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 are one of them. Apples and similar fruits are also water and fibre-rich. Eating such fruits causes saliva to flow into the mouth, which helps rinse 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? It’ll tide you over until your next brushing session.

Carrots

They are 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 lovely way of getting them in. Even a few baby carrots on their own can be worth trying.

Celery

A 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 toothbrush but, of course, are 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 to 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 and care,

Dr Aisha Ahmed

BACK TO BLOG