Scheduling checkups with your dentist twice a year is one of the best ways to take an active interest in your oral health. Through these regular visits, your dentist will be able to check and correct any problems with your teeth or gums before they become major. Another way to keep your smile as healthy as possible is to make informed dietary choices. Doing so doesn't simply mean keeping your intake of soda and sweets to a minimum; there are actually several foods that can positively impact your oral health. Before your next trip to the supermarket, keep these three items in mind and be sure to add them to your basket.

Celery

The high fiber content of celery might make this common vegetable valuable in your effort to lose weight, but including it in your diet can also provide an improvement to your oral health. Celery's crunchy, chewy texture is its secret weapon -- because it takes several bites before you can swallow it, the celery helps to stimulate your mouth's production of saliva. The increased saliva will help to wash away the harmful bacteria in your mouth that can contribute to cavities. Additionally, celery is beneficial because of its rough texture, which helps to scrub your gums as you chew.

Cheese

You likely already know that including milk in your diet is an effective way to increase your calcium intake, but cheese will have the same effect. Beyond the dose of calcium, cheese has an additional benefit as a cavity fighter. Eating cheese boosts the pH level inside your mouth, which is an important way to avoid cavities. A low pH level means that you're at a heightened risk of your tooth enamel wearing through, which can quickly lead to cavities. Cheese also includes a compound that protects your teeth from acid damage. The protein boost of cheese makes it a useful snack that will help you feel full so that you don't get tempted to snack on something unhealthy instead.

Spinach

Spinach will often leave a strange fuzzy feeling on your teeth, but this sensation is no cause for alarm. This leafy green vegetable is loaded with calcium, which is a mineral that is essential for building strong, durable teeth that are resistant to decay. As an added bonus, the oxalic acid found in spinach can help you avoid the annoying dental health issue of sensitive teeth. Talk to a local dentist, like Image Dentistry, for more healthy teeth tips.