If you’re a foodie and just happen to have dental implants, today is your lucky day. Your dietary choices can play a crucial role in ensuring your implants last as long as possible, and this list of 5 fresh foods will help you get started on a new journey.
Read on to explore how these specific foods can promote the health and durability of your dental implants while tasting incredible.
1. Egg Yolks
Scrambled, poached, hard boiled, over-easy—there are many ways to prepare eggs, but the one thing all these methods share is deliciousness.
Eggs are great for teeth because they contain many vitamins and minerals, especially phosphorus and vitamin K2, which promote healthy teeth and bone density that are essential for maintaining the integrity of your dental implants.
Try not to eat eggs with beans if you want to reap their tooth-strengthening properties. Beans contain phytic acid which binds to nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and magnesium and may make it more difficult for your teeth to absorb them.
2. Fatty Fish
Fatty fish like tuna, mackerel, salmon, and trout are some of the fish highest in both vitamin D and omega-3s, a type of fat that supports gum health by reducing inflammation and bleeding in the gums. Vitamin D is great for dental implants because it helps shield your gums from disease and allows your body to better absorb calcium.
Fish are also a great source of vitamin D, which works in concert with calcium to strengthen any remaining teeth you may have and help prevent future extractions, and in turn, further bone loss.
3. Leafy Greens
Now there’s a new reason to eat salad! Lush, dark greens such as kale, spinach, turnip greens, and arugula are high in minerals that help with rebuilding your jawbone. They also have beneficial prebiotics in them that help the mouth produce healthy oral bacteria. With healthy mouth flora, your gums will be more resistant to disease and hold your implant better.
4. Grass-Fed Dairy Products
Grass-fed dairy like organic milk, cheese, and butter, are high in vitamin K2, vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorous.
All of these are vital for the strength and health of your teeth and bones. Vitamin K2 is especially important because it is harder for your body to absorb. This means that you need a wide variety of K2 sources to get the benefits from it.
Grass-fed is an important distinction as, according to the National Library of Medicine, the presence of chlorophyll in the meat is essential to activate the enzymes that convert K1 into K2, providing your body with a stronger dose of the nutrient.
5. Mushrooms Exposed to UV Light
Mushrooms grown in UV light are rich in nutrients, specifically with huge spikes in the production of vitamin D.
These foods are packed with vital nutrients that can enhance the lifespan of your dental implants. By maintaining healthy gums and robust bones, your implants will find a stable base to endure for many years to come.
About the Author
Dr. Rodger Song’s mission is to leave his patients smiling. With over 30 years of experience in Flower Mound, he continuously expands his dental knowledge through organizations like the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Dr. Song is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, reflecting over 500 hours of continuing education. Schedule a dental implant consultation or explore treatment options at Bridlewood Dental by visiting the website or calling (972) 906-9797.