It is very common to hear dentists or other people talk about different foods you should avoid in order to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. However, did you know there are also some foods that you should add or increase to your diet that can actually help improve your oral health? Learn about some here in this list of 10 foods to improve oral health.

1. Yogurt, Cheese & Milk - Dairy products in general help your mouth produce more saliva, which helps protect your teeth. Additionally, yogurt and cheese also contain high amounts of calcium that strengthen your teeth.
2. Almonds - These are great healthy snacks to have throughout the day. Almonds are good for your teeth because they are low in sugar and high in calcium, protein, and magnesium.
3. Carrots - This is another great option to snack on, since chewing on crunchy and raw sticks massages your gums. Carrots also help strengthen your teeth’s enamel by providing high amounts of vitamin A.
4. Sweet Potatoes - This type of potato will help maintain the mucous membranes and soft tissue of the gums, as it is very rich in Vitamin A.
5. Celery - Celery is a great source of fiber and vitamins such as Vitamin C and A, and what’s even better is that the texture of this vegetable can help scrape particles and bacteria off your teeth.
6. Sesame Seeds - These particular seeds are high in calcium and will also help scrape plaque off your teeth.
7. Onions - This vegetable has high antibacterial properties that will kill bacteria inside your mouth. Add onion to your salad or favorite dishes!
8. Salmon - This fish contains a high amount of Vitamin D and calcium. Vitamin D will help your body absorb calcium in the best way, helping maintain healthy teeth and gums
9. Apples - This sweet and delicious fruit helps to neutralize harmful acids in the mouth via its natural sugars, as well as maintain healthy gums thanks to the combination of vitamins they contain.
10. Strawberries - Surprise! Eating strawberries can help keep your teeth stain-free since they contain malic acid, which is a natural teeth whitener.

Even though all these foods will help promote good oral health, remember these are just a few options that need to be paired with regular dentist visits, brushing, and flossing regularly. If you have questions on how to properly clean your teeth, check out our Oral Hygiene Routine blog post.

Some of these food options may not be recommended for braces patients, so any questions should always be discussed with your doctor.

Read what the American Dental Association has to say on how your diet can affect your oral health.