Did you know that the health of your teeth is connected to the health of other parts of your body? Or that certain foods are beneficial for keeping your teeth healthy? If not, you’re certainly not alone. Most people aren’t even aware of this connection. However, it’s something we should be aware of and take steps to improve our oral health as much as possible.

Your mouth is home to numerous bacteria that help keep it clean and acidic enough for you to eat and drink without getting sick. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best foods for your teeth and how they can help protect against tooth decay and cavities.

Baked Beans

Baked beans are a great snack when you’re feeling hungry but don’t necessarily want something heavy. They’re especially good for your teeth because they’re rich in protein and fibre. Proteins are great for building up the enamel on your teeth, while fibre helps prevent tooth decay by keeping your body regular, so that you don’t have a lot of bacteria in your mouth to ferment sugars into acids that cause tooth decay. Be careful, though. Baked beans can stain your teeth a blue-ish colour, and there’s also a high risk of developing toothaches from eating too many beans.

Yogurt

Yogurt is one of the best foods you can eat for your teeth. The probiotic bacteria found in yogurt help to prevent tooth decay by keeping your mouth pH level low. Essentially, this means that there’s less risk of tooth decay with yogurt than there is with a diet high in sugar. Yogurt can also be beneficial for overall health, but the probiotic bacteria in it are specifically geared towards oral health. You can buy yogurt with added probiotics that are specifically meant for oral health.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which have been proven to prevent tooth decay by preventing the buildup of damaging acids that can eat away at your teeth. The best way to get the benefits of dark chocolate for your teeth is to eat it as a snack because it’s easily digested and often times doesn’t turn into a sticky mess in your mouth. Make sure you chew it well, though, because some of the antioxidants are dissolved in cocoa solids, and you don’t want them to go down the drain. Dark chocolate can also be mixed into other foods, such as hot milk for a warm drink or cookies and ice cream.

Read More: Exploring the U.S.: Six Cheap Places to Travel Without a Passport

Broccoli

Broccoli is good for your teeth, and it’s especially great for those who are in a diet to lose weight. The high levels of Vitamin A found in broccoli help to prevent tooth decay by keeping your mouth pH level low, preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. Broccoli can be eaten raw or cooked and is an especially great food for those who are trying to “cleanse” their diets of refined sugar and processed foods.

Oats

Oatmeal is a great source of fibre and antioxidants, both of which help to prevent tooth decay by keeping your mouth pH low. It can also be used to make a healthy “tooth-brushing” paste, which can help to remove food particles from between your teeth. Oats are particularly good for improving dental health in older individuals. While younger people might benefit from eating oats, individuals over the age of 50 will see the best results from eating them regularly. Oats can be eaten as a snack, mixed into a bowl of cereal, or even used as a “batter” for making pancakes. They can be added to a variety of recipes, including omelettes, smoothies, and salads.

Fish & Olive Oil

Fish, especially when it’s been fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, and tuna, is one of the best foods you can eat for your teeth. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, along with the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids found in olive oil, are both excellent for building up the enamel of your teeth. The olive oil can be consumed either alone or when you’re cooking fish, so you don’t need to solely rely on fish being one of the best foods for your teeth.

Bottom Line

Your diet is one of the most important factors in maintaining the health of your teeth. These foods can help you achieve better oral health and keep your teeth strong and healthy for years to come. Make sure to include them in your daily diet. Now that you know what foods are good for your teeth, you can start enjoying them today.