You’ve heard it: berries, coffee, and sodas can stain your teeth and cause other unwanted dental issues. But did you know that there are foods that are healthy for your teeth and dental health?

Just brushing and flossing are not quite enough for a healthy smile, but your diet and what you eat/drink are incredibly important factors as well! Your teeth are prone to attack by acids, which are in many of your favorite snacks or drinks. Acids can erode away the enamel of your tooth, and then lead to cavities or tooth decay.

So many yummy and delicious foods are good for your teeth, so opt for some of these instead of candies, soda, or other high sugar/acidic foods:

• Cheese: Yum! Who doesn’t like this salty, savory food? Eating cheese will raise the pH levels in your mouth, better protecting your teeth from cavities or even tooth decay! Calcium and protein are also found in cheese, which help strengthen your teeth.
• Nuts: Another great source of calcium and protein, these delicious crunchy foods boost saliva, which help clean teeth. Almonds in particular are low in sugar.
• Milk: An obvious choice, milk provides calcium and phosphorous to your teeth and help remineralize them.
• Crunchy, high-fiber fruits of veggies: Some of our favorite suggestions? Celery, apples, and pears. High-fiber fruits and veggies help clean the surface of your tooth, and can remove a bit of plaque that is on there. Fibrous foods also stimulate the gums and the high water content is great for your smile too!
• Yogurt: The probiotics that are found in yogurt are great for gums because they combat the bad bacteria that may be there! The high calcium and protein never hurts, either.
• Dark, leafy greens: Kale and spinach are two super awesome leafy greens that are also super yummy! They are high in calcium and have folic acid, and are full of vitamins and nutrients.
• Other foods that aid in healthy teeth: sweet potatoes, onions, ginger, strawberries, fish, water, carrots, and whole grains.

If you are having trouble thinking of ways of adding these foods to your diet, try:

• Adding nuts, cheeses, apples, or dark greens to your salad! Check out this recipe.
• Adding yogurt, milk, or dark greens to a satisfying smoothie. Check out this recipe.
• Making trail mix with some nuts and raisins (also good for teeth!). Check out this recipe.

Remember, you can still have candies, sodas, wine, etc., but try to limit your intake and always brush and rinse your mouth after consuming these to prevent staining!