Yes! Calcium plays a key role in making teeth stronger! It helps in maintaining the hardness and strength of both your teeth and bones by supporting the mineralization process. Calcium, along with other nutrients like vitamin D and phosphorus, helps to build and maintain the enamel of your teeth, which is the outer layer that protects them from decay.
Calcium-rich foods are great for supporting bone and teeth health! Here’s a list of some top foods that are naturally high in calcium:
Dairy Products:
- Milk (whole, skim, or fortified plant-based alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk)
- Cheese (especially hard cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan)
- Yogurt (plain or Greek yogurt)
Leafy Greens:
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Turnip greens
- Bok choy
Fortified Foods:
- Fortified cereals (many breakfast cereals are calcium-fortified)
- Fortified orange juice (look for brands that add calcium)
- Fortified plant-based milks (almond, soy, or oat milk)
Fish with Edible Bones:
- Canned salmon (with bones)
- Canned sardines (with bones)
Nuts & Seeds:
- Almonds (a great snack, also good for calcium)
- Chia seeds
- Sesame seeds (and tahini, made from sesame seeds)
Other:
- Tofu (especially if it's made with calcium sulfate)
- White beans
- Figs (dried figs, in particular)
In addition to getting calcium from foods, don’t forget that vitamin D is key for calcium absorption, so getting some sun or eating foods like eggs or fatty fish (like salmon) can help too!