As you’ll know if you’ve visited a dentist at any point in your life (which we would hope to be the case!) diet and dentistry are almost always best considered together.
Certainly, sugary and acidic foods carry strong links to tooth decay, gum disease, and a wide range of other escalating issues. Further to that, hard foods including certain nuts can also cause teeth to break, fillings to fall out, and even the need for denture repair if you aren’t careful what you eat after treatment. These are issues that we’d all rather do without, and reassessing our diets is the easiest way to keep them at bay.
Diet can prove especially helpful when we realize that, as well as limiting our access to highly sugary treats, making sure that we’re eating the right foods can give our teeth the best possible fighting chance. The question is, which foods most encourage dental health, and what recipes should you incorporate into your weekly menu to make sure that your teeth are on top form?
# 1 – Spinach-stuffed salmon
Omega-3 is linked to as much as a 30% reduction in gum disease, making oily fishes like salmon a fantastic option. High levels of vitamin D are also found within this fish, which can both result in fewer cavities, and ensure the full absorption of the calcium (also essential for healthy teeth) that the spinach in this recipe has to offer.
- Ingredients:
- 4 skinless salmon fillets
- 4 oz of cream cheese
- 4 oz of thawed frozen spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Method:
- Season your salmon fillets on both sides before drizzling with lemon juice and olive oil. Cut pockets horizontally into the sides of each fillet.
- Drain excess liquid from your spinach and mix with the cream cheese before seasoning.
- Place in an oven preheated to 350°F and cook for 10-15 mins or until cooked through.
- Serve immediately
# 2 – Crisp fruit salad
The high acidic content of citrus fruits isn’t great for our teeth, but crispy fresh fruits like the apples and pears found in this recipe can enhance saliva production, thus removing otherwise damaging bacteria.
- Ingredients:
- 3 apples
- 3 pears
- ¼ cup of fresh mint
- ¼ cup of walnuts (optional)
- ¼ cup of honey
- Method
- Roast your walnuts while chopping your fruit and mint
- Toss together all ingredients and drizzle with honey
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later
# 3 – Paprika popcorn
We most often think that popcorn leaves annoying kernels in our teeth, but well-cooked popcorn is a whole-grain treat that’s a lot healthier for teeth than often sugary carbs that you might reach for otherwise.
- Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- ½ cup popcorn kernels
- 4 teaspoons of smoked paprika
- Zest of ½ a lemon
- Salt to taste
- Method
- Melt butter and combine with lemon juice
- Pop your corn by covering it on a high heat until popping stops
- Toss corn with butter and lemon juice
- Sprinkle with paprika and salt to taste
- Enjoy.
Which of these has your taste buds watering?
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