A healthy diet can help keep your smile beautiful for years to come. But feeding that killer smile is about more than simply dodging decay-causing candy or stain-building red wine: it’s about fueling your body so it can fight off infections, heal tissue faster and maintain strong bones and teeth. A poor diet compromises those goals, say the experts.

“If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection,” says dentist Dr. Euan Swan, manager of dental programs at the Canadian Dental Association. Dr. Swan notes that while poor nutrition doesn’t cause periodontal (gum) disease per se, research indicates it allows disease to progress faster—with more severe results.

So think of eating well as part of a preventive dental health plan—like daily brushing and flossing. “It’s important to maintain optimal nutrition status so that many dental or medical problems can be prevented,” says Toronto-based nutritionist Susan Fyshe.

Fortunately, what’s good for your mouth is also good for the rest of your body. Here are some oral-health-promoting super-foods worth chomping down on, on a regular basis.