Foods That Help Prevent Tooth Decay

It's no fun declining sugary treats like cookies and candies. But when it comes to tooth decay, food choices play an important role. Some foods can harm your teeth, while others contain essential nutrients to keep them healthy and strong. To help prevent tooth decay, keep these food choices in mind. What you eat will show in your smile!

Got Calcium?

Calcium is a prime ingredient for preventing tooth decay, especially for growing children. Dairy is a great source, with choices such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. And calcium isn't hiding in the fat, so skim milk and low-fat yogurt are just as good. Other options are leafy greens such as broccoli and bok choy, canned fish with bones, almonds and Brazil nuts, and dried beans.

Fruit 'n' Fiber ('n' Veggies)

Eating high-fiber produce keeps saliva flowing, which helps create mineral defenses against tooth decay. Good sources are dried fruits such as dates, raisins, and figs. Other options are fruits such as bananas, apples, and oranges; veggies such as beans, Brussels sprouts, and peas; and peanuts, almonds, and bran.

Whole Grains

Whole grains provide B vitamins and iron, which help keep gums healthy. What good are teeth if you don't have gums to hold them in? Whole grains have magnesium, too—an important ingredient for bones and teeth, which hold about 70 percent of the body's supply of magnesium. And if that's not enough, whole grains are high in fiber. Try bran, brown rice, cereals, and whole-grain pasta.

Snacks

When you get the munchies, target options such as cheese, raw veggies, fruit, or plain yogurt. Try to steer clear of sweets, because sugar partners with plaque to weaken enamel, leaving you vulnerable to tooth decay. Each time you eat a sugary snack, your teeth are under siege for the next 20 minutes.

The Pyramid

Generally, try sticking to the food pyramid. Options include high-fiber grains and produce, magnesium-rich fish, and dairy, full of calcium. Unfortunately, brownies are not included. And though the pyramid is evolving, the main characters are the same: whole grains, fruits and veggies, and protein. (Brownies still aren't invited.)

Visit Crest.com to learn more about lifestyle changes that protect your teeth and products that can help you have a healthy, beautiful smile.