What you eat can affect the health of your teeth and gums. Eating poorly can lead to cavities and gum disease. A diet rich in calcium, fiber, and lean protein can help keep your teeth strong and healthy. A balanced diet equals a healthy smile!
To protect your teeth, limit foods that can cause your teeth to weaken. It’s best to limit foods and drinks high in sugars or starches and that are easily caught in your teeth, such as:
- Soda
- Juice
- Candy
- Cookies
- Pastries
- Sugary cereals
- Crackers
- Chips
Include more of these foods and drinks for healthy teeth and gums:
- Cheese, milk, and yogurt are high in calcium, which helps build strong bones and teeth. Cheese and milk also have casein, which strengthens your teeth’s protective coating, called enamel. Yogurt has probiotics, which protect against gun disease, cavities, and bad breath.
- Water is the best drink, especially water treated with fluoride, which protects your teeth from cavities.
- Fruits and vegetables have fiber, which helps clean your teeth and makes more saliva. Saliva helps neutralize the acid that weakens teeth.
- Nuts and seeds have phosphorus, a mineral that protects your teeth.
- Lean meat and fatty fish makes you chew and produce saliva, which neutralizes acid. Fatty fish are also a good source of phosphorus to protect your teeth’s enamel.