Eight Surprising Foods To Ensure Healthy Teeth And Prevent Tooth Decay

Dental Woes on BBC 1769448863H1s0la5z

We all know we should brush and floss our teeth and limit sugar intake if we want to prevent tooth decay and tooth loss. But ensuring healthy teeth and gums doesn’t just come down to brushing your teeth twice a day and swapping cola for the sugar-free version. Keeping your teeth strong and healthy can also be ensured by eating the right kinds of foods, containing properties beneficial to oral health. Sally Rayment, dentist at The Implant Centre Hove and Hayward’s Heath, recommends the following eight foods to help you maintain a dazzling smile.

• Three health benefits of cheese
• Best supplements for teeth: One vitamin you need to stop tooth decay

People wrongly assume that strawberries stain the teeth, but quite the opposite is true. Strawberries contain malic acid - a natural enamel whitener

Sally Rayment - The Implant Centre Sussex

Strawberries

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Strawberries are great for the teeth and gums as they contain high levels of vitamin C, which helps the body to produce the collagen needed to maintain gum strength.

“People wrongly assume that strawberries stain the teeth, but quite the opposite is true. Strawberries contain malic acid - a natural enamel whitener,” said Rayment.

Salmon

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

A “superfood for our mouths”, salmon is packed full of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential to oral health as it helps the body to absorb calcium, which is vital for healthy gums, bones and teeth.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

As well as helping the body to absorb calcium, salmon itself contains high levels of the mineral.

Strawberries contain high levels of vitamin C (Image: Getty Images)

Sugar-free chewing gum

Chewing on sugar-free gum produces more saliva in the mouth, which helps to reduce acid and plaque build-up, thus strengthening the teeth and reducing the risk of tooth decay.

Cooked duck and steak

Cooked duck and steak contain phosphorus, which is good for protecting bone and enamel.

Dark chocolate

The antioxidants found in cacao help neutralise the bacteria that cause halitosis (bad breath).

Opt for chocolate that is at least 70 per cent cacao so you don’t counteract the benefits with lots of sugar.

• Spots on your teeth? Signs of condition that can cause tooth loss
• Teeth health: Child and teens tooth decay is costing NHS £165 million

Salmon is packed with vitamin D and calcium (Image: Getty Images)

Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that neutralise bacteria (Image: Getty Images)

Carrots, apples and celery

Crunching on carrots, apples and celery gives your mouth a good work out by producing lots of saliva which helps to neutralise bacteria.

These vegetables almost act as a natural toothbrush, massaging your gums and ‘brushing’ the teeth as you chew.

Cashew nuts and peanuts

Both cashew nuts and peanuts contain calcium and vitamin D, and eating them also helps to stimulate saliva.

Health news, advice and symptoms to watch out for Subscribe Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Get More of Our News on Google

Set Daily Express as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.

Onions

When eaten raw, onions have powerful antibacterial properties which help kill harmful bacteria on the teeth.

Dentist Teeth Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments Most Read Most Commented Latest videos Live-event Horror as passenger plane crashes into the sea shortly after take off Moment pilot accused of being paedophile arrested in front of passengers before take-off 'Genius' six-part BBC sitcom fans 'absolutely love' is ready to binge Millions of Gmail and Yahoo users get 'crucial' email update, check your inbox now Princess Beatrice and Eugenie dealt ‘devastating blow’ as Epstein email ‘seals their fate’ Millions of Britons balding too soon due to one common habit Daily coffee habit slashes dementia risk - but you have to do it right FREE Holland & Barrett Snacks 'Paler than usual skin' and more 'noticeable heartbeats' may be signs of common deficiency NHS issues warning over Vitamin D killer disease worries I tried Japanese walking - after one month my heart rate dropped 10 points Get checked for issue linked to 'stroke and heart disease' at pharmacies across England Nutritionist shares shopping picks for anyone with high cholesterol Millions on blood pressure medication issued warning Five common UK foods identified that could help you prevent grey hair NHS GP issues 'red flag' warning to anyone taking omeprazole for acid reflux The earth might not have moved during sex – but these 9 bits of your body did NHS warns unusual sign of coeliac disease could appear in hands and feet Eating dark chocolate could hold key to major health benefit sought after by millions 'Daytime tiredness' could be caused by breaking expert's '2pm rule' Potassium-packed 55p fruit could help slash blood pressure

Daily Express uses notifications to keep you updated

Keep me updated No thanks