Brushing and flossing are vital in maintaining healthy teeth, but what you eat has a severe impact on your oral health. While many sweet treats can harm your teeth, some foods have protective benefits for your smile, reducing your risks of developing tooth decay and preventing gum disease. Here are three of the best foods for your oral health, and how dentists recommend incorporating them into your daily diet. 

What Should You Eat to Improve Your Smile?

1. Crunchy Vegetables

When you consume vegetables like celery, carrots, jicama, and broccoli, you are brushing your teeth naturally. Fibrous vegetables help to rub away food particles that could be stuck on the surfaces of your teeth. This helps by improving your breath and reducing tooth decay naturally. Dentists recommend keeping pre-cut veggies in snack bags inside your refrigerator for a quick, tooth-healthy snack when you’re at home or on-the-go. 

2. Cheese and Yogurt

Because tooth decay is caused by oral bacteria that emit acids that destroy your enamel, it may be helpful to consume yogurt. This snack contains necessary cultures that crowd out oral bacteria and keep your breath fresh. Cheese has also been found to prompt saliva production, which neutralizes the pH of your mouth. Consume yogurt instead of starchy foods, like cereal, for breakfast, and think about eating a slice or two of cheese after your regular meal to help to cleanse your palate. 

3. Berries

In addition to being delicious, the anthocyanins in fruits like blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, and raspberries can make the surfaces of your teeth more slippery. This helps to keep pathogens, like oral bacteria, from clinging to your teeth and causing decay. Consider adding berries to salads or smoothies to make your teeth less susceptible to cavities and other degenerative orthodontic issues. 

Whether you are due for a dental checkup or you want to inquire about cosmetic dentistry, the team at Bethel Family Dentistry can help. With a focus on patient education and excellence in dentistry, their dentist, Dr. Michael J. Minarchek, can help you maintain your oral health and achieve your dream smile. Learn more about their practice by visiting their website, or give their office a call today at (513) 734-2029 to schedule an appointment.