A toothache is one of the worst pains to experience. In Texas alone, it is estimated that almost a third of all adults have tooth decay. One of the ways to avoid toothaches is by watching what you eat. However, if you already find yourself in this predicament, search for an affordable dentist in Dallas/Fort Worth and get started on your treatment while it is still bearable. As the adage goes, prevention is better than cure, so here are the seven foods to eat that are good for your teeth.
Foods That Are Good for Your Teeth
1. Milk and Dairy Products
Conventional wisdom states that milk is a good for your teeth, and, in fact, it is. Milk’s calcium levels are high, so if you are going to drink milk, make sure it is whole milk. The calcium that comes from skim milk isn’t absorbed as well. When choosing between two kinds of milk, don’t go by the color, go by the fat content. Low fat milk is also lower in calories which may improve your diet.
2. Raw Vegetables
The most common vegetables that you can eat raw are carrots and tomatoes. However, many vegetables can be eaten raw when you are trying to improve your dental health. Strawberries do more than taste good, they fight tooth decay by keeping plaque away from teeth and the acidity in the berries work to prevent damage that leads to cavities.
3. Dark Chocolate
You heard right, chocolate is good for your teeth. There are some types of chocolates that are better than others. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the higher the level of flavonoids it has. These flavonoids can strengthen bones and fight tooth decay by lowering levels of plaque. By choosing a bar with at least 70% cocoa, you’ll have a healthy something to munch on in between meals.
4.Meat
Some type of meats have a lot of protein and this protein can help your teeth. The minerals found in some meat protect you from bacteria in your mouth. These minerals include calcium, phosphorus, selenium and zinc. However, there are some meats that aren’t good for you when eaten raw, so look at the labels before eating them. These include white meats such as chicken and turkey.
5. Almonds and Walnuts
These nuts are actually not only good for the teeth but they are healthy in general as well. Almonds have a naturally sweet flavor and they are an excellent source of vitamin E. Vitamin E helps to prevent the oxidation of the tooth enamel. It is a great idea to have almonds with your meal or at least in your pocket when you’re on the go so that you can take advantage of the vitamin E that is stored in these nuts.
6. Green Leafy Vegetables
Green vegetables are great for your health in many ways, but when it comes to dental health, they do a great job too. If you want to boost your calcium levels and improve the strength of your teeth, then eating more leafy greens is a great way to do this.
7. Water
Not only does water help with weight loss and help you feel better overall, it can also make your teeth stronger too. If you’re not a fan of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon or lime for a good tasting drink that will boost your dental health too.
Some Foods That Are Bad for Your Teeth
It is also important to note the foods to avoid for healthy teeth, here are some of the common ones:
1. Sugar and Candy
Sugar is one of the worst things you can put in your mouth. If you eat too much sugar on a regular basis, your teeth can become damaged by bacteria in your mouth. Once the bacteria comes into contact with the sugars in your mouth, they begin to feed off it and produce acids that break down tooth enamel. As well as having a negative effect on your teeth, sugary foods can also lead to weight gain as they have a lot of calories while being low in nutrients.
2. Acidic Foods
Acidic foods can also lead to tooth decay as they break down your enamel. The most common acidic foods are soft drinks and coffees, but it’s not just these foods that are considered acidic. Vinegar, citrus fruits and tomatoes are also acidic. If you like them, remember to brush your teeth afterwards to remove the acids that have built up on the teeth from your meal.
3. White Bread
White bread is the food that is often used as an example of a food that can cause tooth decay because it contains a lot of starch. This starch can be converted by bacteria into acids. However, there are other wheat-based foods that are still good for your teeth. Whole wheat bread has more nutrients in it and is better for your teeth than white bread
Before you eat your next meal, think about your dental health. Choose wisely and have the right foods that are going to give you a great smile.
