Brushing and flossing are always going to be important, but your diet also plays a major role in your oral health. The foods and beverages that you consume throughout the day can either strengthen your teeth or damage the outer enamel. Here are four foods that you might want to add to your diet to keep your teeth strong and healthy.

4 Nutritious Vegetarian Foods That Strengthen Teeth and Enamel

Apples

Apples are often referred to as a “dental detergent” because they physically remove debris from the outside of your teeth while being eaten. That makes them the perfect snack between meals when you don’t have access to a toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash. Professionals, like those at Cobbe Dental & Orthodontics, know that many other foods clean your teeth as well, but apples contain very little acid and a relatively small amount of sugar. Carrots and celery are two other great snacks to have between meals.

Yogurt

Some of the foods that you eat can actually reduce the amount of acid in your mouth, and that will preserve and protect your enamel. In addition to reducing acid levels, yogurt is also packed with vitamin D. This particular vitamin is vital to the health of your teeth and bones. Before picking up yogurt on your next shopping trip, you should make sure that the product you choose contains no added sugar or dyes.

Raw Onions

Raw onions might give you bad breath, but they can also protect your teeth and gums. Onions are packed with antibacterial substances that kill the unhealthy germs in your mouth. If you are worried about the onions giving you bad breath, then you can try to hide the odor in a more complex dish such as Pico de Gallo or a thicker salsa. Cooked onions still have some antibacterial properties, but many of the nutrients will be lost.

Sweet Potatoes

Replacing white potatoes with sweet potatoes is going to provide you with many different health benefits including stronger enamel. Sweet potatoes contain an incredible amount of vitamin A, and your body uses this particular vitamin to create a protein known as keratin. In larger doses, keratin promotes the formation of tooth enamel after it has been damaged. Sweet potatoes also contain vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B16, and other vital nutrients.

In addition to brushing, flossing, and eating a healthy diet, you should also be visiting your dentist at least once or twice a year. Undiagnosed oral health issues can result in a variety of serious complications including severe stains, chipped teeth, cavities, and gum disease.