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A lot of focus is typically put on the foods that are bad for dental health, but which foods are beneficial for your teeth?
In many cases, the foods that are excellent for your body are good choices for dental health as well. Salad is a prime example of a food that is comprised of healthy ingredients that play a positive role for your teeth. Whether they assist in removing plaque like carrots or contain valuable calcium like cheese, the ingredients in salad are excellent for the teeth.
Which Salad Ingredients Are Healthy For The Teeth?
With low calories and lots of nutrition, vegetables and fruits are the healthiest food groups for bodily health. Here are some examples of how those same fruits and vegetables improve your teeth:
Leafy greens
Lettuce is a staple in most salads, but there are a wide array of leafy greens that are just as fitting. The various leafy greens that can be used as the main ingredient in salad include the following:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
Whichever type of greens you prefer, all of them are beneficial to your dental health. Leafy greens are high in calcium which builds enamel and folic acid which is known to improve the gums.
Alternative Ways To Consume Leafy Greens
If salad isn’t your thing, there are actually a wide variety of ways to infuse leafy greens into your diet. Kale has become a popular staple in smoothies and juice blends for its remarkable health benefits. Broccoli is popular in a wide range of cuisine, including stir-fry. Spinach is commonly cooked or eaten as a topping on sandwiches and pizzas. However you consume your leafy greens, note that you’re doing your teeth and body a favor when you do.
Carrots and Celery
Carrots and celery are both good for your teeth because of their fibrous nature. As you bite into a thick root vegetable like carrots, the texture actually scrapes plaque from your teeth, cleaning your mouth as you eat. Throw in the high levels of vitamin A and C, and it’s clear that carrots and celery are excellent foods to add to your salads.
Alternative Ways To Consume Carrots & Celery
If salads aren’t your thing, there are other ways that you can make carrots and celery a healthy part of your diet. Carrots and celery served raw and chopped into edible sticks is a popular appetizer, especially with peanut butter or ranch sauce. Both carrots and celery can also be cooked into a wide range of entrees, including soups and casseroles. Whichever way you’re able to get carrots into your daily diet, their texture and rich vitamin content make them worthwhile.
Cheese
Cheese is an extremely popular food that has undeniable benefits for your teeth. A study published in the journal of the American Academy of General Dentistry concluded that cheese increases the pH level of the participant’s mouth, greatly reducing tooth decay. Another benefit for the teeth and body is that cheese is packed with both calcium and protein, vital nutrients that are excellent for oral health.
Alternative Ways To Consume Cheese
While shredded cheese is an easy way to add protein to a salad, cheese comes in many forms and is an extremely versatile food. Whether you prefer to consume cheese in slices, cubes or as a dipping sauce, it won’t be difficult to find ways to include cheese into your next meal.
Apples
Apples are one of the rare sweet foods that are considered extremely healthy for both teeth and body. The main way that apples benefit the teeth is with their dense consistency. It takes more chewing to eat an apple than most other foods, and this action boosts saliva production in your mouth.
Alternative Ways To Consume Apples
If including apple on your salad for extra flavor doesn’t appeal to you, there are other methods of easily consuming apples. While many dessert items are cooked with apples, they’re likely to be loaded with extra sugar which can ruin their beneficial status. Whether in slices or whole, the healthiest way to get the benefits of an apple is to eat it raw. Like carrots, the fibrous nature of apples makes them ideal for cleaning debris from the teeth.
Almonds
Potent in calcium and protein, it doesn’t take many almonds to make a positive difference in your dental health. As one of the high-quality nuts, almonds are frequently added to salad as a topping. With Omega-3s and polyunsaturated fats that benefit the body and calcium that benefits the teeth, almonds are a tiny power food with a lot of advantages.
Alternative Ways To Consume Almonds
Other than salad, almonds are most often eaten raw out of the bag or can. A wide range of Asian dishes take advantage of almonds, and shaved almonds are frequently used as a topping for salmon and other fish. However you choose to incorporate almonds into your diet, it’s highly recommended due to their high levels of valuable nutrients.
Call Weston Dental Specialists For Info On Effective Oral Care
Dr. Alaa Alwazzan and his colleagues thoroughly understand the difference between patients who consume junk food and patients who choose healthy foods. When you make healthy dietary choices, they are very likely to be reflected in your teeth. For any questions about your dental care, contact Weston Dental Specialists for an exam today.
