A diet that's good for your teeth: What's best for healthy teeth?

Author: Dr. Alan Abdi
Reviewed by: Dr. Nima Motewasselin
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Updated: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
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Everyone wants a beautiful smile that attracts at first sight. But have you ever thought that healthy teeth depend primarily on oral care and nutrition? There are many scientific studies on proper nutrition, but one of the most popular focuses on dental health. In this article, you will find useful information about what food is best for your teeth.

Why is nutrition important for dental health?

Healthy nutrition is a significant factor that greatly impacts tooth enamel strength, gum health, and the oral microbiome. The right diet will help to prevent tooth decay, periodontal disease, and enamel erosion. This is the reason why it is worth sticking to.

Here are the key reasons to organize nutrition:

  • Enamel strengthening - such minerals as calcium, vitamin D, fluoride, and phosphorus are important components for enamel repair and maintenance.
  • Gum health - vitamin C is crucial for collagen production, which supports gum tissue integrity.
  • Bacteria removal - a balanced, healthy diet helps the body fight bacteria that cause caries.
  • Saliva production - a healthy diet promotes salivation that naturally cleans your mouth, neutralizes acids, and helps to avoid different oral diseases.
  • Preventing tooth damage - try to reduce sweets and acidic foods; instead, eat more nutritious meals to prevent plaque buildup and enamel erosion.

All the above-mentioned factors show that healthy teeth nutrition is very important for everyone who wants to own an incredible smile.

Which foods are good for teeth and gums?

To gain a clear understanding of which foods are good for healthy teeth, let’s talk more about current products. Most likely, you will be surprised that chocolate opens this list. But pay attention: it is about 70% cacao or higher. The main benefit of chocolate is that it contains CBH for tooth enamel and also tannins, polyphenols, and flavonoids.

One more important product for your oral health is just water. The Swiss Society of Dentists recommends drinking water after each meal to reduce oral acidity and bacterial count.

Green and black teas can also improve your teeth. Both contain polyphenols that kill bacteria. Black tea helps with bad breath, and green tea contains catechins that help prevent bacteria that can lead to gum disease.

Fruits and vegetables are good for your teeth

Fruits and vegetables deserve special attention when discussing oral health. Let’s talk more about these products:

  • Apple - this fruit is a “natural toothbrush” because it has a fibrous texture to clean plaque and food particles. It also stimulates salivation. So, there is no doubt that apples are good for teeth.
  • Carrots - this raw food helps reduce cavities, provides vitamin A, and strengthens tooth enamel.
  • Paprika - this product can benefit oral health due to its high mineral content. Phosphorus and calcium support enamel, bone structure, and gums. 
  • Spinach - is excellent for your teeth because of calcium for enamel, fiber to clean teeth, and folic acid to avoid gum diseases.
  • Strawberry - one more product to make your teeth whiter with the help of malic acid.


Benefits of dairy products for teeth

Dairy products contain a variety of minerals and nutrients that support healthy teeth and gums. Calcium, phosphorus, casein protein, and other nutrients will help keep your mouth healthy.

  • Milk - be brave to use it instead of sugar drinks. It will help remineralize enamel and prevent decay by providing a high-calcium, casein protein, and phosphorus source.
  • Cheese - an indispensable product to neutralize acidity by increasing pH levels. Contains protein, calcium, and phosphorus.
  • Yogurt  without sugar - consumption of yogurt will give you a lot of calcium, which is good for bones, teeth, and enamel.

Furthermore, there are many other products that can be added to the list above, such as salmon (calcium, vitamin D, Omega-3), leafy greens (vitamin A and C, folic acid, calcium), almonds (low sugar, protein, calcium), and so on.


Chewing thoroughly is equally important

Not only does food affect your dental health, but also the chewing process. Thorough chewing is so beneficial for your teeth, acting as mechanical oral cleaning that helps reduce plaque and caries risk. Chewing, as one of the important processes, allows salivation. Saliva neutralizes harmful acids, washes away food from interdental spaces, and remineralizes tooth enamel.

No matter what food you are eating: whole wheat bread or juicy fish, chew carefully for:

  • plaque reducing;
  • great salivation;
  • healthy jawbone;
  • acid neutralization.

Healthy teeth, nutrition, and thorough chewing are what you really need for perfect dental health.


Which vitamins and minerals are necessary for healthy teeth?

If you want to have healthy teeth for a long period of time, try to eat food with such vitamins and minerals: calcium (that’s why milk and cheese are good for teeth), phosphorus, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin K2, potassium, magnesium, Vitamin A, and zinc. Organize your personal healthy nutrition to enjoy teeth and enamel health and be the owner of an unforgettable smile.

About the author

Author
Dr. med. dent. Alan Abdi
Unterschrift des Fachzahnarztes
Dr. med. dent. Alan Abdi is a specialist in oral surgery at Oralchirurgie an der Pinnau. His expertise includes minimally invasive procedures and careful diagnostics of complex pain conditions. More information:
CV: Link

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