We know that a healthy diet, including calcium-rich foods, is
essential to maintaining strong bones and a healthy body. But
can a healthy diet make your teeth stronger too?
According to a study conducted at the School of Dental Medicine
at the State University of New York at Buffalo, a diet rich in
calcium can help prevent the type of tooth loss that typically
occurs as we get older. Eating a healthy diet not only helps
prevent tooth loss, it can also help to strengthen the bone
and areas surrounding the tooth.
What exactly is a healthy diet?
A healthy diet is one that consists of foods from each of the
food groups such as fruits and vegetables; breads,
cereals and grains; meat, poultry and fish; and
milk, cheese and yogurt. When the foods you eat enter your
mouth, they combine with bacteria and produce plaque acids
that can ultimately lead to decay. Therefore, it is important
to choose your meals wisely, eat a wide variety of foods and
limit your intake of snack foods.
Though it is a good idea to limit your intake of sugary foods
and drinks, you should be aware that many everyday foods
such as fruits, breads, cereals, certain vegetables and milk
contain natural sugar, which can also lead to tooth decay.
Therefore, you should pay attention to how and when you are
consuming them. Typically, it is better to consume starchy
foods as part of a meal rather than as a stand-alone snack.
This will enable more saliva to be released, which helps to wash
food away and weaken plaque acid.
How can I add more calcium to my diet?
The United States Department of Agriculture recommends
drinking low-fat or non-fat milk with meals,
topping baked potatoes and fruit with yogurt and adding milk
to oatmeal, coffee and smoothies as ways to increase your
calcium intake. For those who don't or can't eat
dairy, dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale
and collard greens are an excellent source of calcium. Other
calcium-rich foods include sardines, salmon
(bone-in), soy products, breads, cereals and
specially fortified juices.
Eating a healthy diet helps to make teeth healthy and strong;
however, dentists still recommend brushing twice a day, flossing
at least once a day and visiting a dentist every six months.
