We have seven super foods for your oral health in our latest Personal Care Dentistry blog. From nuts to chocolate, these foods strengthen your teeth and gums, fight bacteria in your mouth, and scrub or wash away cavity-causing sugars. Eat or drink these super seven and you are bound to have a happier smile!
Fruits and Vegies that Crunch
The high fiber in certain fruits and vegetables are like mini scrubbers in your mouth, replicating some of the work your toothbrush does by cleaning your teeth. Plus, they trigger saliva production in your mouth, which is a great way to wash away bacteria that have gathered on your teeth. In addition, any sugar in your mouth from other foods you’ve eaten will have a harder time sticking around, because the increased saliva will wash away that sugar. Raw celery, carrots, apples, broccoli, cauliflower and jicama are some of these oral health helpers.
Chocolate…Yes, Chocolate!
Believe it or not, dark chocolate (at least 70% cacao) can be good for your smile if you eat it in moderation. Research has shown that a compound in dark chocolate actually hardens tooth enamel and can help prevent cavities. One square a day is enough and we’re talking dark chocolate, not milk chocolate!
Cheese Please
Cheese is high in protein and calcium and low in sugar a good combination for oral health. It also has been shown to lower the acidity in your mouth and the lower acidity level, the lower the chance of developing cavities. Another benefit is that cheese helps remineralize the teeth and minimize decay. Milk is also a good choice for oral health, since it contains protein and calcium and helps wash away sugar from other foods (that glass of milk with dessert is a good combination for oral health).
Be a Fan of Tea
Both black and green teas are high in polyphenols, which kill or suppress bacteria in your mouth. Remember, bacteria produce acids which destroy your tooth enamel. They feed on sugar in your mouth, so having tea during or after your meal will fight the bacteria, wash away sugar, and replenish your saliva. That’s a trio of good benefits from tea.
Foods from the Sea
What do sea foods have in common? They are lean in protein and they contain natural fluoride. The combination strengthens your teeth and helps prevent cavities. A bonus is that they are a great source of Vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium in your diet. Calcium helps your teeth and gums fight disease which can lead to oral health problems.
All Kinds of Nuts
Nuts provide a healthy dose of protein, which your teeth and gums benefit from. They also are loaded with calcium and phosphorus both good for tooth enamel. And the crunch of nuts produces saliva in your mouth, which washes away bad stuff in your mouth.
The Wonders of Water
We’ve mentioned multiple times in our blog how important the production of saliva is for your oral health. Water is just as good for a variety of reasons. First, it replenishes your saliva (which is nearly 100% water) and hydrates your mouth. Second, the right amount of saliva in your mouth helps break down food you eat, reduces acid produced by bacteria, and slows down tooth decay. All of those are good for your smile.
SOURCES: Colgate.com
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