10 super foods - for your teeth!

During recent years, health food has become somewhat of an eating trend; it seems everyone’s juicing, or eating more super salads and soups, or ‘eating clean’. Whilst this diet revamp is doing wonders for many, some of these ‘healthier’ lifestyle switch ups can be both good and bad for you, especially when it comes to the health of your teeth and increased intake of fruits, for example, which can lead to increased enamel damage and decay, as they are generally high in sugar and acidic.

Here’s a list of the ten foods you could incorporate into your diet more to ensure that you’re protecting the precious tools that help you eat in the first place!

1. Almonds

Almonds are a fantastic source of protein and calcium, whilst being low in sugar. Add them to your granola or porridge, or sprinkled on salads, or have a handful as a mid morning snack

2. Yoghurt

Yoghurt, a good source of essential calcium, helps strengthen the teeth. Be sure to pick a product with no added sugar (so avoid any that are marketed as "low fat" or "fat free" as these are HIGH is sugar!). The probiotics in yoghurt benefit your gums and keep them healthy by replacing the bad acid producing bacteria.

 

 

3.  Celery

A good source of vitamins A and C which aid the health of gums, and acts as a natural toothbrush, scraping food particles away from the nooks and crannies of your teeth - nature’s floss!

 

 

4.  Black tea and green tea

These teas contain Polyphenols, which are understood to reduce toxins and fight bacteria in he mouth, as well as being rich in fluoride which is essential for healthy teeth. Just avoid adding sugar!

 

 

5.  Pears

Unlike other fruits, raw pears actually neutralize acids in your mouth, instead of adding to the acid levels

 

 

6. Apples

The act of chewing an apple produces saliva, and the fibre of the apple stimulates the gums, giving you mouth a good scrub, and clearing away some stuck food particles. Just make sure you’re brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, which will help protect the enamel on your teeth from the sugars and acids that occur naturally in fruits. Although it is recommended not to consume too many sugary fruits, apples are high in fibre and water content.

 

 

7.  Water

Ok, not technically food, but this is one people often don’t think about - water washes away food particles and keeps the levels of saliva in your mouth high, protecting your teeth from acids and sugars, and also contains naturally minerals and proteins that combat plaque

 

 

8.  Garlic

A real superfood, Garlic fights periodontal disease and tooth decay, due to its antimicrobial  properties

 

9.  Gum

Sugar free gum boosts production of saliva, which protects our mouth. Just make sure you pick the sugar free variety (and don’t actually eat it either, it’s not so good for your intestines!)

 

 

10.  Carrots

Crunchy and full of fibre, carrots, like apples and celery, can help scrub out stuck food particles, and are packed full of vitamins when eaten raw