Super Foods for Your Teeth

Dr. Arezoo Nasiry

May 10th, 2013

Dentistry Tips

dental care Los Angeles Dental Super foods are foods that help your teeth grow and stay healthy and strong. Just like protein helps your muscle growth and strength. Here are some foods you may not have thought of as being good for your teeth and gums.

Calcium

While drinking a glass of milk before going to bed in order to make it easier for you to catch some zzzs is basically a myth, calcium’s role in preserving your teeth is definitely a fact. Majority of your bones and teeth are made up of calcium, and this mineral is crucial in children and teenagers especially since they still have developing bones and teeth. When you have optimum levels of calcium all of the time, it’s easier for your body to rebuild your teeth and even to reverse the effects of early cavity-formation. And since you have to take care of your jawbones just as much as your teeth, the calcium you take in can also help give you stronger supporting structures. In fact, studies have shown that when calcium intake is less than 500 mg, a person has a double risk for developing gum diseases including periodontitis, a condition which affects supporting bones and ligaments.

So how much of calcium should you get each day? According to some sources, women younger than 50 and men of all age should receive at least 1,000 mg of calcium in a daily basis. On the other hand, women who are over 500 should get 1,200 mg of calcium everyday. Some of the great sources of calcium include milk, cheese and yogurt. A person basically has to eat at least two to four servings of dairy in order to satisfy the recommended daily allowance for calcium.

Vitamin C

You might think that no relationship exists between vitamin C and your dental health, but when you think about how vitamin C is able to repair connective tissues, then it all makes sense. Your gums are an integral part of your dental health. In fact, you could lose all of your teeth even if none of them had cavities for as long as you have poor gum health. Vitamin C can help you stave off the gingivitis and other forms of gum disease. On top of giving you healthy gums, vitamin C also works to improve your immune system so that you can fight off infections more effectively. Citrus fruits are ideal sources of vitamin C.

Fiber

The crisp texture of fruits and vegetables which contain high levels of fiber actually help you to sweep off bacteria and prevent the accumulation of plaque. Another benefit of chewing these fibrous fruits and vegetables is that they enhance saliva production which help to curb the growth and proliferation of bacteria.

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DR. Azy smiling at the camera at LA Dental.

About Dr. Azy Nasiry

Dr Azy Nasiry is owner of LA Dental Clinic and teaching faculty at UCLA Dental School. She has over twenty years of experience in the dental field and focuses her practice in cosmetic dentistry, biomimetics, and orthodontics using Invisalign. Dr Nasiry is passionate about helping her patients achieve the smile of their dreams and about saving teeth. She is kind and gentle and her advanced training in biomimetics and smile design means she will use the best dental materials and research-backed techniques to help save and restore teeth. Dr Nasiry is known for her expertise in providing high quality patient-focused dental care.