Good oral health care isn’t just brushing and flossing your teeth. A proper diet also contributes to good oral health.
Many foods actually help to reduce the harmful bacteria in your mouth, help to cleanse teeth and stimulate saliva production which reduces acids that harm your teeth. Saliva also restores minerals in your mouth that protect teeth.
Here are several foods that help your teeth and gums stay healthy!
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Did you know, raw veggies and fresh fruits fight to reduce nasty plaque, clean your teeth and strengthen gums?
Plaque is a sticky substance that forms a film on your teeth which harbours bacteria, producing acids that will gradually eat away at your teeth. If it builds up, it can even lead to gum disease and cavities.
The best fresh fruits and vegetables are those that are firm and crunchy, such as apples, carrots, celery and cucumbers. Each of these contains fibre which scrubs your teeth as you bite and chew. Other helpful vegetables include those with a high water content, such as lettuce, spinach and other greens.
Citrus fruits also promote oral health. Although they’re acidic, the high amount of vitamin C helps to reduce inflammation and strengthens gums. In addition, fruits and vegetables with high amounts of vitamin A help to build and maintain tooth enamel.
Water!
Water washes away food particles and bacteria that harm teeth. Staying hydrated is also important, as when you become dehydrated, your saliva thickens and becomes less effective in keeping bacteria at bay.
Make sure to rinse with water after drinking coffee, tea or other beverages that can stain teeth as well, and you’ll be able to keep your pearly whites whiter! An added benefit is that water doesn’t have sugar or calories, so you unlike sugary sodas, you won’t have to worry about developing cavities or gaining weight.
Cheese
Cheese and other dairy products are rich in bone-building vitamins and minerals that also help teeth. Casein, a protein found in cheese, even repairs tooth enamel.
Some people eat cheese at the end of a meal with dessert, or instead of dessert, which also has hidden benefits – the alkali in cheese can help to neutralise the acids from the meal. Hard cheeses like cheddar are the highest in alkalis, and they also require more chewing, which stimulates the production of saliva and cleanses the mouth.
At Underwood Dental Care we’re dedicated to providing a full range of dental services to our customers. We help you learn about good oral hygiene through diet, developing good habits and having regular dental care. Our services include orthodontics, crowns and bridges, fillings and children’s dentistry.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us today on 07 3341 9770.