What to eat for healthier teeth
Did you know certain foods can help you have healthier teeth?
Here are our top 5 suggestions for the best foods for your teeth:
- Cheese: Cheese (and other dairy products also) are high in calcium, an essential part of teeth enamel. They are also low in sugar and acid. All dairy products also contain casein, which has been found to help repair and strengthen tooth enamel weakened by acid and tooth decay. In fact, the active ingredient in casein which helps to do this is included in a variety of commonly found dental products such as GC Tooth Mousse Plus and Recaldent chewing gum. These products are sold now at most dental practices, including our Claremont dental clinic. We routinely recommend these products to those who are high risk for tooth decay, acid erosion (e.g. dietary reasons such as wine tasters, and health reasons such as eating disorders, morning sickness and gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder) or decreased saliva production (salivary gland disorders, radiation therapy, medication-related dry mouth and Sjogren’s disease).
- Yogurt: also packed with calcium and casein, look for low sugar (or no added sugar) options to keep your teeth healthy and strong.
- Fresh fruit, in particular pears: Any fresh fruit is great, but some are higher in naturally occurring sugar or acids than others. Our pick is pears as they are a fibrous fruit with a low acid and sugar content. Next time you have a sugar craving, skip the lollies and much on a fresh pear. Try and steer clear of dried fruits. When dried, fruit becomes sticky and sweet, meaning it gets stuck in teeth for longer periods of time, which increases the likelihood of tooth decay occurring. Also check packaging carefully, as some dried fruit also has added sugar.
- Fresh vegetables, in particular celery: all fresh fruit is great for your teeth (and general health!), but in particular, celery is fibrous, meaning you have to chew it for longer. Increased chewing creates more saliva, which helps to protect your teeth from acid and tooth decay damage.
- Sugar-free chewing gum: Look out for chewing gum containing Xylitol, rather than other artificial sweeteners. This sugar alternative stops tooth-decay causing acids from making use of the sugars in our mouths, so is great for the health of your teeth. Chewing gum also promotes saliva production, which has a beneficial effect on your teeth too. For a double whammy effect, try out the previously mentioned Recaldent chewing gum, which contains both Xylitol and CPP-ACP (casein active ingredient).
The team at Dental Quarters are passionate about helping you achieve the healthiest teeth and smile possible. If you have more questions about how we can help, please call our friendly Claremont dental team on 6143 5655. You can also secure an appointment time with our Claremont dentists here.
