5 Foods or Drinks that Are Good for Your Teeth

We all know about foods that can be bad for our teeth, things like sweets, acidic foods and starchy foods. However, did you ever stop to think about foods that are actually beneficial to your teeth? Believe it or not, there are quite a few such foods and drinks that you'll want to encourage your family to eat and drink more often.

1. Dairy products. Unlike acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruit, dairy products like milk, butter and cheese actually coat the teeth lightly and help to prevent the enamel from breaking down. Plus, these foods contain calcium, which is thought to help protect tooth enamel.

2. Wild caught salmon. Salmon is good for you in a number of ways. Its hearty-healthy omega-3 oils are already well understood. However, salmon is also good for your teeth, since it contains a generous amount of vitamin D, a substance that promotes good bone and dental health. Choose wild-caught salmon to avoid the GMO corn that is commonly fed to farm-raised salmon.

3. Strawberries. Strawberries have a lot of vitamin C, which is good for promoting healthy gums. However, unlike oranges and lemons, strawberries aren't loaded with acid, which can break down tooth enamel. Eat the strawberries raw (and, of course, without added sugar) for the best effect.

4. Crunchy fruits and nuts. Firm fruits, such as apples and pears contain a lot of moisture that helps to dilute the natural sugars in the fruit. Plus, biting down on these types of foods help to prevent other food particles from adhering to the surface of the teeth. Nuts, like almonds, walnuts and pecans, can also help keep food particles from finding a home between your teeth.

5. Water. Drinking a generous amount of water daily is like continually rinsing your teeth. Food particles don't have an opportunity to stay in your mouth long enough to cause damage when you're continually flushing your mouth with water. Of course, water has a ton of other health benefits, so make it a point to consume at least six eight-ounce glasses every day.

6. Tea. Drinking tea, especially black tea, can help prevent plaque from forming on your teeth and causing cavities.

While eating cheese, salmon and apples alone won't prevent you from ever having cavities, these foods can certainly boost your dental health. Make sure to include one or more in your family's regular diet. Consult your dentist to learn more diet tips to keep your teeth healthy.