When we talk about health, we tend to think about two things mainly: food and exercise. However, when it comes to dental health, the focus is hygiene and food. Dental hygiene refers to the practice of keeping the mouth clean in order to keep problems at bay. Now, food is something a lot of people don’t consider important in dental health. The truth is, the health of your teeth depends a lot on the food you eat or don’t. And I am not talking about chocolates affecting your teeth. I am talking about nutrition for your teeth.

Your teeth need four main nutrients to remain healthy: calcium, fluoride, vitamin C, and vitamin D. Calcium forms the backbone of teeth and bones. It is important to consume calcium on a daily basis. Dairy products such as milk and yogurt, green vegetables such as spinach, soybeans and soy products, salmon, and sardines are rich sources of calcium. Fluoride is extremely important for your teeth. In US, fluoride is available in the water we drink. Tea, gelatin, fish, and other seafood are some other sources of fluoride. Vitamin C helps prevent gum diseases, thus critical for overall oral health. The chief sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits such as lemon, guava, mango, and pineapple and vegetables such as tomatoes, cauliflower, and papaya. Vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium in our bodies. The best way to get vitamin D is to get a regular dose of sunlight. Spending a few minutes out in the sun everyday should do the trick. Some other sources of vitamin D are fish, egg yolk, milk, soy drinks, and lever.

For a healthy smile, eating right is as important as brushing and flossing.

Happy smiling!

Tags: food for dental health, nutrition for teeth