Regular brushing and flossing help keep teeth healthy by removing sugar and food particles that combine with bacteria to form plaque. Plaque buildup produces acid that damages tooth enamel, causes cavities and forms a basis for gum disease. A growing body of research has now found that certain foods are also responsible for healthy teeth. For example, just as some foods can keep your heart healthy, others can promote oral health. So here are some tooth-friendly foods that you can include in your daily menu.
Suitable foods for healthy teeth
So when it comes to yourOral hygiene and healthThese really reflect what you eat. Sugary foods for healthy teeth, for example, are not sweets and carbonated drinks at all. They are more likely to contribute to tooth decay. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), one of the first areas to decline when your diet isn't optimal is your oral health. For this reason, use this list of foods for healthy teeth to improve your diet and the health of your mouth.
However, this article is only intended to promote understanding and knowledge of general oral health topics through useful tips. These are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare professional if you have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.
Is cheese good for your teeth?
If you are one of the many people who profess a love for cheese, you now have another reason to enjoy this delicious food. A study from General Dentistry, the journal of the dental academy, found that eating cheese increased the pH in subjects' mouths and reduced the risk of tooth decay. Chewing cheese is also believed to increase the amount of saliva in the mouth. Cheese also contains calcium and proteins - nutrients that strengthen tooth enamel. Cheese can therefore neutralize plaque formation. Additionally, chewing increases saliva production.
Research published in the journal showed that 12- to 15-year-olds who ate cheddar cheese had lower mouth acid levels than those who ate sugar-free yogurt or drank a glass of milk. After eating, the young test subjects rinsed their mouths with water. The acidity or pH levels in their mouths were then measured 10, 20 and 30 minutes after rinsing. Those who drank milk or ate yogurt showed no change in their pH, but the cheese eaters had a rapid drop at each measurement interval.
Is celery healthy for your mouth?
Celery may have a bad reputation for being boring, watery, and full of those pesky fibers, but like carrots and apples, this vegetable acts a bit like a toothbrush, scraping away food particles and bacteria from your teeth. It's also a good source of vitamins A and C, two antioxidants that boost the health of your gums. Make celery even tastier by topping it with cream cheese.
Raisins
Raisins are naturally sweet and contain neither sucrose nor table sugar. Sugar helps bacteria stick to the tooth surface and produce plaque. Raisins are also a source of phytochemicals that can kill plaque bacteria in cavities. Some compounds in raisins also affect the growth of bacteria associated with gum disease.
Berries
Currants, cranberries or blueberries contain polyphenols (just like tea), which, according to a study published in the journal Caries Research, can prevent plaque from sticking to teeth, thereby reducing the risk of tooth decay. A note here: Because these fruits are so tart, manufacturers have added sugar to many products, which can negatively impact the potential dental benefits.
Are carrots good for your teeth?
It requires a lot of chewing to break down foods like carrots, apples, and cucumbers. But all that crunching isn't for nothing. Chewing can reduce plaque and act as a cleaning mechanism. So instead of staying in your mouth and settling on your teeth, it eliminates bacteria. Carrots are crunchy like apples and full of fiber. Eating a handful of raw carrots at the end of every meal increases saliva production in your mouth, which reduces the risk of tooth decay. Not only are carrots rich in fiber, they are also a great source of vitamin A. Add a few raw carrot slices to a salad, or enjoy some baby carrots on their own as a food for healthy teeth.
Carrots have been hailed as a vegetable for fighting buildup in gaps because nibbling on crunchy, raw carrots acts like a natural toothbrush. Chewing massages your gums. This bright vegetable is rich in plaque-attacking keratin and vitamin A, which is crucial for strengthening delicate tooth enamel. All in all, it's a good choice for a snack between meals.
Onion against inflammation of the teeth
Despite the pungent and strong scent of onions, this vegetable contains compounds that are extremely useful for teeth. The onion also has antibacterial properties, and the sulfur content in it keeps teeth healthy and protects them from various diseases. So raw onions are incredibly healthy for you. As an added bonus, the antibacterial sulfur compounds found in an onion kill the harmful bacteria on your teeth. However, it might be advisable to chew sugar-free gum afterwards.
Other foods for healthy teeth
Compounds called polyphenols, found in black and green teas, slow the growth of bacteria linked to tooth decay and gum disease. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that people who rinsed their mouths with black tea for one minute 10 times a day had less plaque on their teeth than those who rinsed their mouths with water. In addition, the size and stickiness of their plaque was reduced.
Is green tea good for your teeth?
Green tea undermines the ability of some bacteria to clump with others, researchers claim. In a 2010 study published in the Journal of Dental Research, researchers wrote that tea, and particularly black tea, is effective against bad breath, or bad breath. Polyphenols suppress the genes of bacteria that control the production of odorous compounds in the mouth.
Foods rich in vitamins for healthy teeth
Calcium-rich foods like cheese, almonds and leafy greens, as well as natural products high in phosphorus like meat, eggs and fish, can help keep tooth enamel strong and healthy, according to the American Dental Association. Acidic foods and such drinks can cause tiny lesions in tooth enamel. Calcium and phosphate help return minerals to these lesions. The calcium is also good for bones, including your jaw.
Milch
Drinking a glass of milk after eating dry, sugar-sweetened products reduces acidity in the mouth more than drinking water or apple juice. Milk thus neutralizes some of the acid produced by plaque formation. However, adding milk to cereal doesn't provide the same benefit.
This makes the milk syrupy and sweet, which is ultimately bad for your teeth. Drinking a glass of milk after eating a sweet dessert like chocolate cake can also protect your teeth. If milk isn't handy, you can snack on a piece of cheese after dessert.
Yogurt after dental surgery
Like cheese, yogurt is rich in calcium and protein, making it a good choice for the strength and health of your teeth. The probiotics or beneficial bacteria contained in yogurt also benefit your gums as the good bacteria outcompete their bad counterparts to cause the cavities. However, if you want to add more yogurt to your diet, above all, choose a plain variety with no added sugar.
Leafy greens
Leafy greens usually find their way onto every healthy food list. It's full of vitamins and minerals while being low in calories. Leafy greens like kale and spinach also promote oral health. It contains a lot of calcium, which builds tooth enamel. It also contains folic acid, a type of B vitamin that offers numerous health benefits, including potentially treating gum disease in pregnant women. If you're having trouble incorporating leafy greens into your diet, add a handful of baby spinach to your next salad or toss some kale on a pizza. You can also try adding something green to a smoothie.
Apples
While the ADA recommends staying away from most sweet foods, there are some exceptions. Fruits like apples may be sweet, but they are also high in fiber and water. When you eat an apple, saliva is produced in your mouth, which washes away bacteria and food particles. The fruit's fibrous texture also stimulates the gums. Eating an apple is not the same as brushing your teeth with oneTo brush with toothpaste, which contains fluoride. Pack either a whole apple or apple slices with your lunch to thoroughly clean your mouth at the end of the meal.
Almonds
Almonds are ideal for your teeth as they are a good source of calcium and protein and are low in sugar. Enjoy a quarter cup of almonds for lunch. You can also add a handful to a salad or stir-fry. In addition to eating more leafy greens, dairy, and fibrous vegetables, pay attention to what you drink. Since it contains no calories or sugar, water is always the best choice, especially when compared to juice. Your diet makes a big difference when it comes to a healthy smile.
Salmon
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for good oral health because it effectively allows your body to better absorb calcium and use it wisely throughout the body. Salmon is packed with vitamin D and calcium, making it an all-around superfood for healthy teeth and gums.
Is chewing gum good for your teeth?
Whether this product is classified as a food for healthy teeth is controversial and we strongly advise against swallowing the gum. However, as many advertisements promise, chewing gum is indeed good for your teeth, provided it is sugar-free. This is because chewing speeds up saliva production, which in turn helps flush out harmful acids more effectively. As an added bonus, it makes your breath smell better.
