The saying often goes that when we look good, we feel good. But when it comes to achieving a beautiful smile, it is quite the opposite – when we feel good, we look good. Everyone wants a glowing smile and there are plenty of healthy eating habits and foods to help achieve it. If you’re curious how to strengthen teeth and maintain a gorgeous smile, check out these five foods.
One – Apples
An apple a day keeps the doctor away – in this case, the dentist, as well! While sweet foods typically aren’t the answer on how to strengthen teeth, apples are incredibly high in fibre and water. Eating an apple increases saliva production in the mouth, which helps rinse bacteria and food particles away. Furthermore, the texture of the fruit stimulates the gums.
Apples are incredibly easy to enjoy as a midday snack or on the go. Incorporate apples into your diet and reap the benefits of a beautiful smile.
Two – Carrots
Carrots are notoriously recommended for eye health. But the health benefits in this crunchy vegetable are much more than what meets the eye. Since eating raw carrots requires plenty of chewing, this vegetable boosts saliva production, which is great for fighting against cavities. The chewing required to eat raw carrots also helps battle bacteria in the mouth and cleanses the teeth and gums.
Throw carrots on top of a salad or munch on a few carrot sticks between meals. You will be flaunting a beautiful, healthy smile in no time.
Three – Leafy Greens
It’s no secret that leafy greens boast a wealth of health benefits, from blood pressure to skin to heart health and – oh yes – teeth! Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, are high in fibre, as well as enamel-supporting calcium. They also are loaded with folic acid, a B vitamin that is known to help treat gum disease in pregnant women.
One of the best things about leafy greens is that they are so easy to incorporate into a diet, even if you are not keen on greens. Enjoy a giant salad bowl for lunch of kale and spinach, sauté leafy greens alongside a chicken or fish dish, or throw a heap of greens onto a pizza! The possibilities are endless to take advantage of all that leafy greens have in store for oral health.
Four – Salmon
Salmon is another food whose benefits extend far beyond oral health. In this case, the salmon acts as an assistant of sorts to calcium-rich foods. This fish is high in omega-3s, as well as vitamin D, which helps the body to better absorb calcium. And when the body properly absorbs calcium, your teeth can take full advantage of all that calcium-packed foods have to offer for a healthy smile.
Five – Cheese and yoghurt
Cheese lovers are in luck! Healthy teeth and calcium go hand in hand with each other. Calcium helps teeth fight against acid erosion and strengthen its enamel. Therefore, any dairy foods, such as cheese, yoghurt, and milk work wonders in maintaining and repairing enamel.
Rest assured that the next time you’re indulging in a tasty cheese board, you are simultaneously enhancing your oral health.
Enjoy a delicious salmon dinner alongside sautéed spinach or throw the fish on top of a kale salad with carrots. Treat yourself to a cheeseboard with your dinner or a yoghurt after lunch and voila! You’ve just given your oral health the royal treatment.
