3 Types of Fish To Eat for A Healthy Smile

Eating Fish Is Good For Your Teeth & Gums

Nothing can replace good ‘ol fashioned brushing & flossing for a healthy mouth, and nobody can take the place of your dentist for helping you fend off the cavity creeps.

But did you know that eating fish can promote optimal oral health?

In one study people with a higher dietary intake of the Omega 3 DHA were associated with a lower odds of periodontitis – gum disease.

In 2010, the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health published a study which found that polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3s) found in fatty fish were effective in the treatment of periodontitis.

Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease which causes inflammation of the gums, causing them to separate from the tooth, leading to a severe bacterial infection that may result in tooth and bone loss.

According to Colgate, the Omega-3 fatty acids in fish are well known for improving heart health, but these same foods are great sources of vitamin D, which plays a critical role in keeping teeth and jaw bones strong.

The fatty acids found in these fish act as an anti-inflammatory, diminishing the severity of the original condition.

3 Types of Fish To Eat for A Healthy Smile

1. Salmon

Salmon – both wild & farmed, although wild has higher levels of Omega 3s – is chock full of Vitamin D and calcium, making it an all-around superfood for helping to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

2. Sardines

Sardines are also packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and Vitamin D, along with being rich in phosphorous, selenium & fluoride.

One can of sardines contains over half of the recommended daily dose of Omega-3. Sardines provide both EPA and DHA fats, which are beneficial for the brain, heart and to reduce inflammation.

3. Anchovies

When you think of Anchovies usually you think pizza or Caesar salad, but these small fish really pack a boatload of Omega 3s, Vitamin A, protein, iron, calcium & more smile-healthy nutrients.

One serving of anchovies contains 20 percent of your recommended daily allowance of niacin.

Why Eat Fish for Healthy Teeth & Gums?

Researchers think that Omega 3 fats may help to calm oral inflammations and infections, that means less tissue breakdown and better oral health.

You should speak with your primary care physician or dietician about adding fish rich in Omega 3s to your diet.

In order to reap the smile-saving benefits of eating fish, about per two servings a week of salmon, sardines, or anchovies should do it.

There are other types of fish that have the same smile-boosting Omega 3s but some can contain elevated levels of mercury.

This table from the Harvard School of Public Health lists common fish and seafood products and their omega-3 fatty acid content:

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on DentalPatientNews.com and has been republished here with permission. It has since been updated for accuracy & comprehensiveness.