With a brand-new year comes a brand-new resolve to boost your oral health. Maybe you have made the big decision to achieve a healthier and more beautiful smile by getting braces. Why not take a step further by consuming foods that will boost the strength of your teeth?
In this article, we have compiled four braces-friendly foods that you should consume for stronger teeth.
1. Vibrant coloured vegetables and fruits
Bright-coloured vegetables and fruits are a great way to start when it comes to boosting your oral health. While you are going through your braces treatment process, it is highly recommended to either cut up your vegetables and fruits into bite-sized pieces or take small bites. This is to prevent your braces from being damaged as well as prevent any awkward food particles from being stuck in your braces.
Vibrant-coloured vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins A and C and other phytochemicals, which are vital for a healthy oral environment.
Vitamin A: It strengthens your teeth by helping to maintain a healthy amount of saliva, lowering the level of acidity in your mouth, especially after eating. This helps to prevent the erosion of your tooth enamel, reducing your risk of developing tooth decay.
Vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin A include leafy greens such as kale and spinach, as well as “orange” vegetables and fruits, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, apricots, and oranges.
Vitamin C: It helps in the development and maintenance of healthy gums and oral tissues. Strong oral tissues help to keep your teeth in place, preventing gum disease and gingivitis. Foods rich in vitamin C include bell peppers, kale, tomatoes, broccoli, strawberries, oranges, kiwi, and blueberries.
In addition to helping you have healthy gums and oral tissues, foods rich in vitamin C also aid in teeth whitening. For example, strawberries contain an enzyme known as malic acid that fights stains. Additionally, the tartness in citrus fruits and berries encourages the production of saliva, helping to wash away any excess sugar and bacteria in your mouth.
2. Grains
Grains are a healthy source of carbohydrates that give you energy. They contain several beneficial minerals like zinc and magnesium and vitamins such as the B vitamins that offer naturally occurring health benefits. They also contain other vital minerals, fibre, plant oils and protein.
Cereals and legumes have been cultivated by humans for thousands of years. When you incorporate relatively less refined grains into your braces-friendly diet, you get omega-3 fats, vitamin E, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and fibre, all of which boost your oral health significantly.
Millet, maize, barley oats, brown rice, quinoa, rye, wheat, spelt, buckwheat, chia seeds, peanuts, soybean, mung beans, lentils and chickpeas are all good sources of nutrition for you. Garden peas, for example, help to stabilise your oral pH balance, reducing the acidity level in your mouth.
3. Lean protein
Soya beans, lentils, eggs, fish, and poultry are examples of protein-rich foods that are beneficial for your teeth. Lean proteins contain phosphorus, a vital mineral that strengthens your teeth by rebuilding hard tissues and protecting tooth enamel. They also help to heal the mucosal lining of your mouth and gum tissue.
It is very important that you cut your meat into bite-size pieces rather than tear them with your teeth so as to avoid damage to your braces.
4. Water
While not often thought of as food, water is a top priority when it comes to better oral health. Firstly, pure water is sugar-free, so there is no risk of developing dental diseases. Secondly, our saliva is approximately 99 per cent water and 1 per cent salt and protein. Hence, drinking lots of water keeps our saliva at optimum viscosity levels. And as we mentioned earlier, our saliva helps to wash away any food debris and sugar in our mouth, bringing down the level of acidity.
Thirdly, our saliva helps us to avoid developing a dry mouth, which increases our risk of getting bad breath.
Lastly, rinsing your mouth or drinking water helps keep it free of food debris and plaque, especially if you are not able to floss and brush your teeth after meals.
Conclusion
Achieving a beautiful and healthy smile is more than just putting on braces. Every determined step, from observing good oral hygiene to consuming braces-friendly foods, helps to strengthen the health of your teeth further.
At BigSmile Dental Clinic, we aim to bring that to our patients. With a wide range of orthodontic and cosmetic treatment options, such as invisible braces, lingual braces, and teeth whitening, we are able to help you achieve a desirable smile. So, do not hesitate further. Contact us today to inquire more about the procedures we offer!
Location
10 Sinaran Drive, #11-18
Novena Medical Centre
Singapore 307506