You may not think about it much, but what you eat has a pretty big impact on the health of your teeth. Most people know that eating food that is rich in calcium will be good for their teeth. But what type of calcium are you getting? Are you aware of the amount you consume a day? Are you putting your teeth at risk in other ways, like drinking tons of coffee and smoking or drinking?
One of the biggest reasons consuming calcium is a good idea is because the teeth are embedded in the jaw and that bone density needs to stay strong so you don’t have loose teeth. If you don’t consume enough calcium, your teeth can become very weak and brittle. When you consume anything with calcium, you need to make sure you are also consuming vitamin D, which is essential to the absorption and use of calcium in the body. If you don’t have enough calcium in your system and you don’t think you will be able to add any to your diet, you can take supplements.
To add extra calcium to your diet, try switching out your morning egg sandwich for yogurt now and then. Drink more milk and eat cheese. You can also eat greens like kale, broccoli and collard greens. Last but not least on the taste list, use almond butter or eat almonds regularly, as they are excellent sources of calcium.
You will need vitamin D, as was mentioned, so supplement your diet with mackerel, salmon, herring, sardines and other fish. Mushrooms, egg-yolks and low fat milk will provide vitamin D. In addition to D, vitamin C is critical for keeping your body healthy and your gums and teeth strong. Vitamin C strengthens blood vessels and helps reduce inflammation and gingivitis. Drink plenty of water and green tea to wash away food debris that can get stuck in between your teeth.
