Many people don’t realize that certain foods and drinks can enhance your oral health. From chocolate to cheese, this set of super foods help strengthen your gums and teeth, battle bacteria in your mouth, and wash away or scrub away sugars that cause cavities. Consume these six foods and drinks and you’ll have a brighter and happier smile!
Crunchy Vegies and Fruits
Some vegetables and fruits are high in fiber and act like mini scrubbers when you eat them, cleaning your teeth. In addition, they increase the production of saliva in your mouth, helping to wash away bacteria that are attached to your teeth. Plus sugar in your mouth from other foods will have a tougher time sticking to your teeth because of the increased saliva. Fruits and vegetables high in fiber include raw apples, carrots, cauliflower, jicama, celery and broccoli.
Adorable Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate that is at least 70% cacao is a smile helper if eaten in moderation. It contains a compound that helps to harden tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Eat one square per day but be sure it’s dark chocolate, not milk chocolate, which is higher in sugar and doesn’t contain the compound that helps your teeth.
Pass the Cheese
Cheese is packed with calcium and protein and contains very little sugar perfect for good oral health. Cheese also lowers the acid level in your mouth, which reduces your odds of developing cavities. Plus cheese helps your teeth remineralize and lowers the chances of decay. Don’t forget milk as an oral health booster it also contains lots of calcium and protein and is good at washing away sugars in your mouth.
Try Some Tea
Polyphenols are efficient bacteria killers and both green and black teas are loaded with polyphenols. Killing bacteria in your mouth is a good thing, since bacteria produce acids which destroy your tooth enamel. And bacteria’s food of choice is sugar, so if you have a cup of tea following dinner you’ll get a triple assist for your oral health killing bacteria, washing away sugar, and replenishing your saliva.
Good Food from the Sea
Seafoods are wonderful for your oral health because they are full of protein and contain natural fluoride. Together, they make your teeth stronger and help prevent cavities. They are also chock-full of Vitamin D, which helps you absorb calcium from your diet. You want to encourage calcium absorption, since it helps your gums and teeth battle disease that can impact your oral health.
Go Nuts for Nuts
Another good source of protein is nuts. Loaded with phosphorus and calcium (which tooth enamel loves) nuts benefit both your teeth and gums. And don’t forget, nuts produce saliva in your mouth, which helps to wash away cavity-causing stuff in your mouth.
SOURCES: Colgate.com