Foods That Help Strengthen Teeth

Diet plays a very important part in oral health, in more ways than one. Certain foods have less of an effect on the enamel of teeth, and can maintain good ph levels in your mouth, and we all know how sugar and sugary foods aid in the production of bacteria in your mouth. But did you know that eating certain foods can help in maintaining strong teeth, and can even strengthen the enamel and cementum of teeth? Here are some of the foods that can be eaten in order to provide the nutrients which teeth need in order to remain strong and healthy.

Dairy

Milk is rich in calcium, and has high levels of phosphorus as well, and lactose, the natural sugar found in milk products has less of a negative effect on teeth than glucose or sucrose. MIlk products such as cheese or yoghurt have concentrated levels of calcium and phosphorus, and should be enjoyed liberally in order to ensure good teeth.

Leafy Greens

Dark colored leafy greens such as irish moss, spinach, sorrel and kale contain large amounts of vitamin K, a vitamin that helps tooth enamel remain hard and resilient to bacteria. They contain no sugar, and as such are an ideal food to help strengthen those pearly whites. These greens also contain high levels of calcium, iron, and phosphorus, which is essential in bone and tooth formation and regeneration.

Citrus Fruits

Lemons, oranges and tangerines have high levels of vitamin C, which plays a role in maintaining tooth structures. The natural acidity of these fruits also helps in whitening teeth, and in clearing off plaque and tartar, as the acid in them will harm the bacteria living in the mouth, but is not strong enough to do damage to the enamel. Lemons do have a very high concentration of citric acid, and excessive eating of lemons in particular can cause the enamel to become thinner.

Tofu

Soy bean curd, or tofu, is high in protein, calcium and magnesium. The latter two aid in the formation of bone material as well as teeth and hair, while protein helps in maintaining healthy tooth structures.

Soy Milk

Many people cannot eat dairy products because of an intolerance to lactose, the sugar found in milk products, or choose not to eat dairy products because of ethical or religious concerns. For those folks, soy milk is a great alternative, as it contains no lactose, is absolutely free from animal products, and has the same high levels of calcium, phosphorus and even contains a good amount of protein. 

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