A Rainbow of Foods to Keep Your Smile Healthy

Posted on March 1, 2018 in General oral health

You may not discover a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, but there are other ways rainbows can make you smile this month. These colorful fruits and veggies are full of flavor and will help keep your smile sparkling.

Red:

• Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, which helps maintain gum health.¹
• Red peppers also contain vitamin C, and they come with a host of anti-inflammatory benefits.²

Orange:

• Pumpkin and carrots have lots of vitamin A, which helps keep mucous membranes healthy and prevent dry mouth. Carrots also contain immunity-strengthening antioxidants.³
• Butternut squash is rich with vitamin C and potassium that helps neutralize acids that remove calcium from the body.⁴

Yellow:

• Yellow peppers have anti-inflammatory benefits and vitamin C.⁵
• Cheeses contain calcium that helps build strong bones and teeth.

Green:

• Leafy greens contain vitamin K that helps block substances that break down bone, promoting good bone density. They are also a good source of calcium.⁶
• Broccoli contains folic acid that helps keep your gums healthy and can help prevent cleft lip and palate during pregnancy.

Blue:

• Blueberries are a rich source of vitamin C and vitamin K.⁷

Purple:

• Eggplant contains vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium. It also has folic acid­ that builds strong bones and helps prevent osteoporosis.⁸
• Acai berries have antioxidants to strengthen immunity.⁹

White:

• Cauliflower­ has vitamin C and antioxidants. It's also an anti-inflammatory and a great substitute for starchy grains in diets.¹⁰
• Plain yogurt promotes strong teeth and bones by being rich in calcium.

¹ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2676112
² http://oralhealth.deltadental.com/Search/22,21445
³ http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/antioxidants-your-immune-system-super-foods-optimal-health
⁴ http://healthland.time.com/2012/10/09/10-ways-to-build-healthy-bones-and-keep-them-strong/
⁵ http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/antioxidants-your-immune-system-super-foods-optimal-health
⁶ http://oralhealth.deltadental.com/Search/22,Delta118n
⁷ http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-blueberries#section3
⁸ https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-eggplant.html
⁹ http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/antioxidants-your-immune-system-super-foods-optimal-health
¹⁰ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-cauliflower#section3