Top Five Foods & Drinks For Better Dental Health

We talk alot about bad dental habits when it comes to food, but what about good food habits? Here is a quick top five foods and drinks for better dental health.

Fruits and Vegetables
We all knew fruits and vegetables were going to be on this list, as they are some of the healthiest foods you can eat in general. The high fiber in these fruits helps keep the teeth clean, and eating fruits and vegetables also helps get saliva flowing. Saliva helps reduce the effects of enzymes and acids that attack your teeth. Additionally, saliva includes trace amounts of calcium and phosphate, which help restore some minerals to areas of your teeth.

Milk, Yogurt, Cheese and Other Dairy Products
Cheese also help make you produce saliva. Dairy products generally contain calcium and phosphates, which help put minerals back into your teeth. They also help rebuild tooth enamel.

Green and Black Teas
This maybe a surprising choice! Both green and black teas contain polyphenols, which can either kill or hold back the bacteria that cause plaque. As long as you do not use an excessive amount of sugar, these teas can prevent bacteria from growing or making acid that attacks teeth.

Sugarless Chewing Gum
We have all heard that chewing gum after meals can help reduce plaque buildup. While that is up for debate, sugarless chewing gum does promote saliva production and can help remove some food particles, but should never be considered as a replacement for regular brushing or flossing.

Foods and Drinks With Fluoride
Fluoridated drinking water, or any product you make with fluoridated water, helps your teeth. This includes powdered juices (as long as they don’t contain a lot of sugar) and dehydrated soups, as well as commercially prepared foods such as poultry products, seafood, and powdered cereals.

Have more questions about food habits and dental health? Call us at Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental today at (210) 877-2273and schedule an appointment today!