Most people know that smoking and chewing tobacco can stain teeth, as can drinking too much coffee and dark tea, because the color pigments enter the ridges and pits teeth naturally have. Foods exist, however, that help keep teeth strong and healthy inside and out.
To help keep your teeth from deteriorating, avoid sugary food such as candy and cookies. When you eat, bacteria in the mouth starts working on sugar and carbohydrates, converting them into acids that eat away at tooth enamel. This means you also should avoid foods such as potato chips and fries.
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1. Cheese
Cheese almost seems like a miracle food when it comes to teeth health. It contains calcium and phosphorus, both of which help redeposit the minerals in enamel that acid has eaten away. Stick to harder cheeses, such as Swiss and cheddar; softer ones can get pressed into crevices and stay there, which won't help your teeth if you don't brush for a while.
Cheese almost seems like a miracle food when it comes to teeth health. It contains calcium and phosphorus, both of which help redeposit the minerals in enamel that acid has eaten away. Stick to harder cheeses, such as Swiss and cheddar; softer ones can get pressed into crevices and stay there, which won't help your teeth if you don't brush for a while.
2. Broccoli
Raw broccoli is a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Tooth enamel contains a protein that cannot form without vitamin A. Broccoli is an effective option for those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy.
Raw broccoli is a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Tooth enamel contains a protein that cannot form without vitamin A. Broccoli is an effective option for those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy.
3. Celery
Celery acts like a natural toothbrush as its crunchiness helps with plaque removal and blood circulation in the gums. Chewing it activates the salivary glands, which produce saliva that counteracts bacteria.
Celery acts like a natural toothbrush as its crunchiness helps with plaque removal and blood circulation in the gums. Chewing it activates the salivary glands, which produce saliva that counteracts bacteria.
4. Spinach
Spinach is another dark-green vegetable that contains calcium. Eat the leaves raw because cooking decreases the calcium level. Because you need to eat a lot of spinach to reap the benefits, try making a spinach smoothie or switching out iceberg lettuce for spinach when you want a salad.
Spinach is another dark-green vegetable that contains calcium. Eat the leaves raw because cooking decreases the calcium level. Because you need to eat a lot of spinach to reap the benefits, try making a spinach smoothie or switching out iceberg lettuce for spinach when you want a salad.
5. Apples and pears
Apples and pears are high in water content. They also contain natural sugars, but the water content mitigates the damage the sugar can do. As with celery, eating apples and pears also activates the production of saliva.
Apples and pears are high in water content. They also contain natural sugars, but the water content mitigates the damage the sugar can do. As with celery, eating apples and pears also activates the production of saliva.
6. Chicken and turkey
Like cheese, meat contains phosphorus, which joins with calcium and vitamin D to make teeth. If you are a vegetarian or just don't like meat, eggs are an appropriate alternate protein source containing phosphorus.
Like cheese, meat contains phosphorus, which joins with calcium and vitamin D to make teeth. If you are a vegetarian or just don't like meat, eggs are an appropriate alternate protein source containing phosphorus.
7. Water
Water containing fluoride is best, but any water is better than none. Water washes away food particles that can cause plaque and keeps gums moist. If you can't get your hands on a straight glass of water, eat food high in water content, such as celery and crunchy fruit.
Water containing fluoride is best, but any water is better than none. Water washes away food particles that can cause plaque and keeps gums moist. If you can't get your hands on a straight glass of water, eat food high in water content, such as celery and crunchy fruit.
8. Dairy products
Cheese isn't the only dairy product that helps with healthy teeth. Any dairy product containing calcium and vitamin D is beneficial to teeth strength. In lieu of cheese, try low-sugar yogurt or a glass of cow's milk.
Cheese isn't the only dairy product that helps with healthy teeth. Any dairy product containing calcium and vitamin D is beneficial to teeth strength. In lieu of cheese, try low-sugar yogurt or a glass of cow's milk.
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