The recipe for a beautiful and healthy smile includes daily brushing, flossing, and biannual visits to the dentist. In between these activities, what you eat can have a significant impact on maintaining strong teeth and clean gums. As you cut back on the sweets, stock up on the following foods that are ideal for your oral health.

What Foods Are Good for Dental Care?

1. Raw Fruits & Vegetables

From apples and carrots to celery and pears, raw roughage with crunch are teeth-enamel fortifiers. Chewing these fruits and vegetables helps to break down bacteria that can form plaque and weaken enamel. Dentists encourage their patients to keep their fridges stocked with their favorite crunchy choices to give the mouth a good cleansing after each meal.  

2. Milk

The calcium in milk is another powerful additive for building strong teeth and bones. This popular dairy product also has a protein called casein, which is another natural source for enamel strength.

Children and grownups alike should drink milk often to neutralize unwanted acid that’s created by plaque. If you’re lactose-intolerant, consider other calcium-rich milk alternatives, such as hemp milk. When shopping for non-dairy options, be sure to check the sugar content to avoid unhealthy sweeteners that will defeat the purpose.

3. Raisins

Don’t be skeptical of the sticky sweetness of raisins. These dried grapes have natural sugars, not corn syrup or processed sugar that can stick to teeth and cause cavities.

Raisins have compounds designed to reduce bacteria linked to gum disease. The natural fruit snack also has phytochemicals as an added bonus to help reduce plaque. 

4. Teas

Polyphenol is another bacteria-fighting compound, and it’s found in green and black teas. When it comes to maintaining good oral health, these types of teas also have antioxidants, which help your mouth form a protective barrier against plaque. Finally, they contain fluoride, another tooth and gum safeguard that strengthens enamel and helps prevent tooth decay.  

By making a few easy changes to your eating lifestyle, you’ll help your body maintain strong teeth and healthy gums. The office of Dr. Robert Petrtyl, DDS, wants to be your trusted dental partner. Based in Cincinnati, OH, and serving Blue Ash, Wyoming, Reading, Mason, Finneytown, Mount Healthy, and Winton Hills, the state-of-the-art facility offers a variety of general and cosmetic dentistry services. Dr. Petrtyl and his professional team will ensure your appointments are welcoming and comfortable. Schedule your next dentist visit by calling (513) 554-4657. Visit the website for the full lineup of services.