When it comes to your oral health, you really are what you eat. Sugar-riddled foods such as pastry sweets and candy contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. To maintain good oral health, The Montana Center for Laser Dentistry, PLLC—a family dentistry practice in Whitefish—recommends incorporating the following foods into your regular diet. 

5 Foods for Superior Oral Health

Cheese

Yet another reason cheese makes us smile! Studies suggest that eating cheese can raise pH levels in the mouth and lower the risk of tooth decay. It’s believed that the chewing required to consume cheese increases saliva production in the mouth. Cheese also contains protein and calcium, nutrients known to strengthen tooth enamel.

Yogurt

Like cheese, yogurt is high in protein and calcium, and thus, beneficial to the health and strength of your teeth. The beneficial bacteria, or probiotics, contained in yogurt also benefit your gums, as good bacteria will crowd out bacteria that cause cavities. Should you decide to incorporate yogurt into your diet, select a plain variety with no added sugar.

Leafy Greens

Leafy vegetables promote healthy cholesterol levels and good digestion. They also do wonders for your teeth, due in part to the amount of chewing they require.

Consuming spinach is similar to running your teeth through a car wash. The saliva generated from the chewing serves as a lubricant, allowing the food to physically scrub your teeth as you eat.

Apples

Though family dentistry experts recommend avoiding sweet foods, there are a few notable exceptions. Fruits, such as apples, may be sweet, but they are also rich in water and fiber. Eating an apple increases saliva in the mouth, which rinses away food particles and harmful bacteria. The fibrous texture of an apple also serves to stimulate the gums. How do you like them apples?

Celery

Although celery has a reputation for being watery, bland, and riddled with pesky strings, like apples, it acts as a natural toothbrush, removing bacteria and food particles from the surface of your teeth. Celery is also a fantastic source of vitamins C and A, two antioxidants that are extremely beneficial to the health of your gums.

Whether you’re due for a routine teeth cleaning or considering a cosmetic dentistry procedure, the laser dentistry experts at The Montana Center for Laser Dentistry, PLLC have you covered for the personalized, professional care you need to enjoy the beautiful, healthy smile you’ve always dreamed of. Visit them online or contact their Whitefish, MT, family dentistry practice today at (406) 862-1010.