Melo Dental

Traditional Filipino Foods That Are Surprisingly Good (and Bad) for Your Teeth

Discover how Filipino foods like sinigang, bangus, and sticky rice desserts affect your teeth. Learn to enjoy traditional cuisine while maintaining excellent dental health.

Keywords: Filipino food dental health, traditional Filipino diet oral health, sinigang teeth enamel, coconut oil teeth

Dr. Sophia Melo, DDS

Filipino cuisine is beloved worldwide for its bold flavors and unique combinations, but how do our favorite dishes affect our dental health? From the calcium-rich bangus to the acidic sinigang, let’s explore how traditional Filipino foods impact our teeth and discover ways to enjoy our heritage cuisine while maintaining excellent oral health.

The Good: Filipino Foods That Boost Dental Health

Coconut Oil – Nature’s Mouthwash

Long before oil pulling became a wellness trend, many Filipino families used coconut oil for oral care. Modern research confirms that coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that can reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth. The lauric acid in coconut oil helps fight Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria primarily responsible for tooth decay.

Try swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 10-15 minutes before brushing your teeth. This traditional practice can complement your regular oral hygiene routine.

Fish-Based Dishes Rich in Calcium

Filipino cuisine features many fish dishes that are excellent for dental health. Bangus (milkfish), galunggong (mackerel scad), and dried fish like tuyo are rich in calcium and phosphorus, essential minerals for strong teeth and bones.

The small bones in fish like bangus, when consumed, provide additional calcium. Dishes like sinigang na bangus or grilled bangus belly not only taste great but also support dental health.

Leafy Greens in Traditional Dishes

Many Filipino vegetable dishes contain leafy greens that are excellent for oral health. Kangkong (water spinach), malunggay (moringa), and ampalaya (bitter gourd) are rich in vitamins A and C, which support gum health and help fight gum disease.

These vegetables also require significant chewing, which stimulates saliva production and helps clean teeth naturally.

The Bad: Filipino Foods That Challenge Dental Health

Sticky Rice Desserts

Filipino desserts like biko, suman, and bibingka contain sticky rice that can cling to teeth and provide food for bacteria. The combination of starch and added sugar creates an ideal environment for tooth decay.

The sticky texture makes these desserts particularly problematic because they’re difficult to remove from teeth surfaces, especially from the grooves and pits of molars.

Acidic Soups and Dishes

While sinigang is a beloved Filipino comfort food, its high acidity can soften tooth enamel. The tamarind, calamansi, or other souring agents that give sinigang its characteristic tang can temporarily weaken tooth enamel, making teeth more susceptible to wear.

Other acidic Filipino dishes include paksiw (vinegar-based dishes) and foods with lots of calamansi or vinegar.

Sugary Preserved Foods

Traditional Filipino preserved foods like sweetened dried mangoes, pastillas, and various kakanin (rice cakes) are high in sugar and often have a sticky or chewy texture that prolongs contact with teeth.

These foods can also stimulate frequent snacking, which increases acid production in the mouth throughout the day.

The Surprising: Foods with Mixed Effects

Garlic and Onions

Many Filipino dishes feature garlic and onions, which have antimicrobial properties that can help fight harmful bacteria in the mouth. However, they can also contribute to bad breath and may irritate sensitive gums.

The key is moderation and proper oral hygiene after consuming garlic and onion-heavy dishes.

Chili Peppers

The capsaicin in chili peppers, common in Filipino dishes like bicol express and laing, has anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit gum health. However, very spicy foods can sometimes irritate the soft tissues in the mouth.

Traditional Remedies That Actually Work

Bayabas (Guava) Leaves

Some Filipino families use guava leaves as a natural mouthwash. Research shows that guava leaves have antimicrobial properties that can help fight oral bacteria and reduce gum inflammation.

Coconut Water

Rich in electrolytes and naturally antibacterial, coconut water can help maintain oral health while providing hydration.

Making Filipino Cuisine Tooth-Friendly

You don’t have to give up your favorite Filipino foods to maintain good dental health. Here are some modifications:

Use less sugar in traditional desserts and try natural sweeteners like stevia
Include more vegetables in traditional dishes to increase fiber and nutrients
Choose grilled or steamed preparations over fried when possible
Enjoy acidic dishes with plenty of rice to help neutralize acid
Follow meals with water or unsweetened beverages

The Bottom Line

Filipino cuisine offers both challenges and benefits for dental health. The key is understanding how different foods affect your teeth and making informed choices. Regular dental checkups, proper oral hygiene, and mindful eating can help you enjoy our rich culinary heritage while maintaining excellent dental health.

Dr. Sophia Melo, DDS

Practice Director & Cosmetic Specialist at Melo Dental

Dr. Sophia Melo joined the family practice in 2010. A Magna Cum Laude UP College of Dentistry graduate with Las Vegas Institute training, she’s an Invisalign Certified Provider specializing in smile transformations and porcelain veneers.

“A beautiful smile is more than aesthetics—it’s confidence, health, and happiness combined.”