There are so many ways to keep your teeth healthy and bright. In addition to a consistent oral health routine, your food and drink choices can greatly impact the health of your teeth. Food and beverages that are full of vitamins and minerals can strengthen our teeth and help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride is one of the best minerals to help strengthen your tooth enamel and keep cavities at bay. It is often associated with your local tap water or fluoride treatments from your dentist, but did you know there are some delicious cuisine and drink options that are full of this fortifying mineral? Read on to learn more about which ones are full of fluoride!
First Things First: How does Fluoride Work?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fluoride is known to protect and rebuild the enamel surface, effectively preventing nearly 25% of all cavities. But how exactly? Fluoride is absorbed through your teeth’s enamel and restores minerals to the outermost surface of the teeth, known as remineralization. The minerals then go to work replenishing your teeth’s supply of phosphorous and calcium. This is important because they work together to keep your teeth strong. With stronger pearly whites, new bacteria are prevented from forming and, voila, fewer cavities!
Which Foods Contain Fluoride?
Now that you know the power of fluoride, you may want to know how you can consume more of this naturally occurring mineral! Here are some nutritious and delicious options full of fluoride:
- Fruit – Strawberries, apples, grapes, bananas, and watermelon are yummy options and can be enjoyed in so many different ways. You’ll also be adding other valuable nutrients to your diet that benefit both your smile and your body.
- Vegetables – Spinach and potatoes are two excellent vegetables that contain fluoride. Capable of being cooked multiple ways, you’ll just need to be mindful of the amount of butter and other similar ingredients you might add in to add to the flavor. Carrots are also another veggie high in fluoride that can be enjoyed in various ways.
- Coffee and Black Tea – This one will likely bring a lot of joy, especially if you need that morning shot of energy that coffee brings to start your day! By drinking a cup of coffee (brewed with tap water), you’ll consume plenty of fluoride, keeping your teeth better protected each day. Black tea is also a great choice.
- Seafood – Whether it is crab, shrimp, lobster, or oysters, these seafood options are not only delicious but full of fluoride. They can also be eaten in many different ways, so be creative!
- Grapes, Raisins, and Wine – You may also be glad to hear you are getting fluoride when you enjoy a glass of wine with your meal! Additionally, raisins can be put in oatmeal or eaten in a nut mix. Though raisins have the highest concentration of fluoride out of these three options, it is important to be mindful that they are high in sugar, which can contribute to tooth decay. Switch them out intermittently with grapes instead.
Fluoride is an important mineral in our oral health. By choosing delicious and fluoride-filled foods and beverages often, along with attending your biannual dental checkups, your smile will be healthy for years to come!
About the Author
Dr. Spiro Saati has been serving the smiles of Peabody and the surrounding areas for over 25 years. With a focus on treating his patients like family, he can meet all your dental needs through preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency care. His focus is to treat you like family as you journey toward your healthiest, brightest smile! To schedule one of your biyearly checkups and exams, contact him through his website or call (978) 548-6243.