Best Diets For Healthy Teeth And Gums

We all want to have a good-looking smile, and that is basically accomplished by incorporating the best diets for healthy teeth and gums. Tooth enamel needs to be protected by having calcium and phosphorus provided to "remineralize" teeth and make them stronger and healthier. This natural process redeposits minerals in the tooth enamel after it has been removed by acids in such foods as citrus fruits, lemons, and tomatoes. These foods which should be eaten as part of a meal to minimize the acid. 

1. The best foods to do that are firm fruits such as apples (often called "nature's toothbrush") and pears, vegetables such as celery and carrots, chicken, turkey, beef, eggs, cheese, nuts, and low-fat milk. 
2. Crunchy vegetables stimulate and cleanse your gums as well. 
3. Foods with a high water content  dilute sugars and stimulate saliva, which washes away food particles. 
4. Vitamin C in fruits is a cement that holds your gum tissue together. Vitamin A in many vegetables is essential for the formation of tooth enamel.
5. High sugar foods not only include candy, pies, cakes, cookies, muffins, breads, french fries, potato chips, and more but, surprisingly, even bananas and dried fruits.  Sugar sticks to teeth and provides fuel for bacteria. 
6. Sipping regularly on drinks with sugar exposes teeth to decay causing acids.  You are much better off with water, unsweetened tea, and milk. 
7. Water cleanses the mouth, hydrates gums, and helps eliminate food particles before they decompose.
8. Green tea contains polyphenols and fluoride that aid in the protection of enamel from decay, prevents plaque from sticking to the teeth, and helps reduce cavities.
9. What about chewing gum?  It is beneficial because it increases saliva that neutralizes acids and dislodges food that can get stuck to teeth and gums.

Paying attention to simple ways that you can incorporate the best diets for healthy teeth and gums will help keep your mouth and smile shining through your lifetime.

References:

World Dental

WebMD