The diet of a person means everything to each part of their health. That includes their teeth, which means there are foods that are particularly beneficial. It’s key to eat foods that are rich in calcium in order to help the teeth stay healthy. While milk and other dairy products seem to be a given, there’s actually a wider range of calcium-rich foods to choose from that can help dental health.

Why is calcium important for teeth?

The human body has a lot of minerals, but what it has the most of is calcium. Practically all of the calcium in your body (a whopping 99%) is a supply that supports both the function and structure of your teeth and bones. The American Dental Association (ADA) says that it’s enamel, the tooth’s hard outer shell, that calcium ends up strengthening. This is something that every dentist agrees with as well. When there’s a solid supply of calcium that keeps teeth strong, cavities and erosion can be better fought off.

People with ages between 19 and 50 are recommended to take around 1,000 mg (milligrams) of calcium in a day. As people age, tooth decay and bone loss will end up progressing. There are also certain risk factors that have to be considered, such as having a history of osteoporosis in the family. Any dentist will say that having lactose intolerance will also pose a risk. Certain medications can also lead bones to get weaker.

What are calcium-rich foods that are best to take?

Some people actually end up with calcium deficiency which can be addressed through eating calcium-rich foods and taking supplements. A great way is to incorporate these foods into your meals:

Beans

Whether it’s in chilis or soups, beans are a great option for calcium. Great options include white beans (139 mg per cup) and navy beans (123 mg). This includes baby soybeans, known as edamame. A single cup of shelled beans has 98 mg.

Cheese

There are a lot of types of cheese out there, and it all plays a part in a person’s daily calcium needs. Choose parmesan as much as possible because, for every ounce, there’s 336 mg of calcium. Other key choices include goat cheese, Gruyere, and Romano.

Milk

This may be the most obvious one, but it’s worth mentioning anyway. Cow’s milk isn’t just a great source of calcium; it’s also incredibly cost-effective. A single cup can give around 200 mg of calcium already. A glass at breakfast or the milk that goes with cereal should do the trick.

Tofu

Since this is made with the use of soybeans, tofu is rich in calcium. There’s roughly 176 mg in a piece that’s around 3.5 oz. Tofu already has calcium sulfate, and the calcium level in that goes all the way to around 861 mg for every half cup.

Conclusion

Calcium is crucial for the body, but especially so when it comes to dental health. There are many ways to incorporate more of it into one’s diet through calcium-rich foods. This includes milk and cheese, which seem obvious, as well as the likes of tofu and beans.

In need of orthodontists in Edmonton that can give you the best care? Schedule an appointment at Edmonton Smiles today! We are the place for emergency dental, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, and preventive services.

 

Posted in Dental News & Advice