When you think of health, a lot of things probably come to mind. Your teeth are something that can easily be overlooked – but they shouldn’t be. The fact is the overall health of your teeth will have a big impact on your physical and mental health throughout your life. Your teeth influence your ability to eat healthy foods, as well as your self-esteem and happiness level. Poor dental health can even lead to infections and other health risks.

Things like brushing and flossing are important for your teeth, but did you know that you can eat for better tooth health as well? It’s true, so taking a closer look at some of the healthiest foods for your teeth is well worth doing.

 

According to Health.com and Colgate, the following are just some of the best foods to eat to promote better, healthier teeth.

• Yogurt – With high levels of calcium and protein plus beneficial bacteria that can help promote gum health, yogurt is a great way to strengthen teeth. However, be sure to avoid brands with added sugar.
• Cheese – Cheese has been shown to increase pH levels in your mouth and help reduce tooth decay risk in the process. Combine that with lots of calcium and protein and it’s not hard to see why cheese is a great option for better tooth health.
• Sugarless Gum – Okay, so it’s not exactly a ‘food.’ But chewing sugar-free gum can help clean the teeth by increasing the production of saliva within the mouth. This helps wash away acids inside your mouth.
• Apples – Apples are filled with fiber and have plenty of water. They work like gum, too, stimulating the production of saliva in the mouth. And fibers in the apples help stimulate good gum health.
• Celery – Another food that acts as a natural toothbrush, celery gives you plenty of vitamins A and C, which is beneficial to your gums.
• Water – You knew this would be on the list, right? Water helps wash away the sugars and acids that build up on the teeth. And in most areas, it has fluoride added to it to help prevent tooth decay. Some natural fluoride is present in certain types of bottled water, too.

 

All in all, paying attention to what you eat can have a significant impact on your dental health. The foods above are just some of the options you have when you’re ready to start eating for better oral hygiene.