Foods to Choose for a Healthy Smile

To keep your smile healthy and shining bright, brush and floss twice daily, visit our dentist in Oak Harbor for regular checkups at least twice a year, and avoid soda and sugary foods. There are also a number of delicious foods you can eat that are good for your smile.

Vitamins and Minerals

When it comes to your diet, the first thing you can do to protect your teeth is eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. This will help keep your immune system strong and protect your smile from infections such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Eating a balanced diet starts by selecting foods from the four food groups: milk and dairy, the meat group, (which actually includes high-protein food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and nuts), the fruits and vegetables group, and the bread and cereals group. A good way to make sure you’re getting a good mix of vitamins and minerals is by selecting fruits and vegetables that come in a variety of different colors.

Food That Feeds Your Smile

One of the most important vitamins for developing a healthy smile is Vitamin C. That’s because several cells in the immune system require Vitamin C to help your body fight off disease and infection such as tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately, there’s all sorts of sweet and delicious foods that contain Vitamin C, including strawberries, mangoes, papaya, pineapple, melons, and citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit.

Two important minerals that support the development of healthy teeth are calcium and phosphorus. It’s commonly known that you can find calcium in dairy products such as milk and cheese, but calcium is also available in leafy greens like spinach and kale, white beans, and several types of fish such as salmon, sardines, and perch. Phosphorus  can be found in salmon, pumpkin seeds, scallops, Brazil nuts,tofu, and lentils.

Another type of food you can eat to promote a healthy smile is crunchy, watery fruits such as apples, celery, and pears. In addition to containing Vitamin C, these high-fiber foods scrape your teeth clean as you eat them. They also help to moisturize your mouth. This is important for preventing dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.

Complete Dental Care in Oak Harbor

Whidbey Dental Associates provides complete dental care for our patients in Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, and Anacortes. Call today to schedule your next appointment. You can also ask about how our cosmetic and restorative products such as dental implants and veneers can help you achieve the smile you’ve been dreaming about.