We often think about the foods we eat and how they affect our overall health, but we rarely think of how foods we eat affect our teeth and oral health. While some foods might be good for our digestion or high in protein, they aren’t always good for your teeth. While this doesn’t mean you should keep these foods out of your diet, you should take care to also include foods that promote good dental health.

Water

Water is the best thing you can drink for oral health. Fluoride is added to most drinking water, which protects against tooth decay in children and adults by 25%. Fluoride helps make teeth more resistant to acid in other foods that can cause cavities. As of 2016, nearly 80% of the US population had access to fluoridated water, so drinking water right from your own kitchen sink can help promote good dental health.

Cheese

If you’re a cheese lover, you’re in luck. Just another reason to love cheese, this dairy product is high in calcium and protein, which are both needed to strong teeth and bones. Eating cheese raises the pH levels in your mouth, which helps reduce the risk of tooth decay and cavities.

Apples

An apple a day might not keep the doctor away, but it could help with keeping you out of the dentist’s office. Apples are high in fiber and water and eating them produces an increase in saliva, which helps rinse away bacteria and other food particles. The fibrous texture of the fruit also stimulates the gums, which causes an increase in blood flow and promotes healthy gums.

Celery

Like apples, celery has a great texture to help clean teeth. Although this veggie has a reputation for bland taste, it can help to scrape away food particles and bacteria from your teeth. Celery is also chock full of vitamins A and C, which aid in healthy gums.

Remember that although some foods might be good for the rest of your body, it’s always good to take your teeth and oral health into consideration as well. Eating for a healthy body is great, but don’t forget to always eat for a healthy mouth, too. Visiting your dentist at least twice a year is also imperative to good dental health, and at Cornerstone Family Dentistry, we are committed to helping Nashville stay healthy. Stop in today for your comprehensive exam, and find out how we can help take your smile to the next level.