There are a lot of forbidden foods when it comes to maintaining good oral health. If you’re sick of hearing “too much sugar, too acidic, coffee stains where is the calcium?” then you are not alone. The Tauranga dentists at Tooth Fairy Dental Clinic understand how frustrating it is to be told what not to eat, so we flipped the restrictions upside down and devised a list of foods that are good for your teeth and gums – and some of them are quite surprising!

Strawberries 

Just in time for a stunning Tauranga summer, we wanted to say go nuts with the strawberries! Yes, they are red, sweet and slightly acidic, but strawberries also contain malic acid – a natural enamel whitener. Nobody is more pleased than your local Tauranga dental clinic to give strawberries the all clear. 

Sesame Seeds 

Though you may need to floss if they get stuck in between your teeth, the benefits of sesame seeds are well worthwhile. Sesame seeds are chocked full of calcium, which we all know are needed to build and maintain healthy teeth, but their small size and hard exterior also has the remarkable ability to scrub away plaque.

Apples 

Sure, apples are sweet and contain natural sugars, but their water and fibre content make up for this. Eating an apple involves a lot of chewing which in turn produces saliva, and saliva is naturally anti-bacterial, protecting your teeth from cavity-forming bacteria. Perhaps the saying should go, “an apple a day keeps the dentist away.”

Salmon 

Dental experts agree with nutritionists: salmon is an incredibly healthy food that is not only high in calcium, but also vitamin D, which is essential to maintaining strong and healthy teeth and bones.

Chocolate 

Your Tauranga dentists are happy to report that chocolate is good for your teeth – hooray! Before you break open that candy bar, we are talking about high quality 70% or higher chocolate – not milk chocolate and certainly not sugary chocolate bars. Still, this is pretty great news. The benefit comes from dark chocolate’s CBH compound, which strengthens tooth enamel, contributing to a cavity-free smile.

Oranges 

Citrus is harmful to teeth, but luckily oranges are relatively low in citrus. On the other hand, their vitamin C content is great for healthy blood vessels and reducing inflammation – both of which lead to healthier teeth. A warning from your dentist: make sure to drink water after eating an orange and wait at least 30 minutes until you brush your teeth after consuming citrus.