Regular brushing and flossing is important for good dental health, but your diet can also make a difference. While there is nothing wrong in having a little bit of everything now and then, there are certain foods that might be beneficial for dental health.
Tea
We have good news for all tea drinkers as this beverage contains compounds called polyphenols which can slow down the growth of bacteria associated with gum disease and cavities. A study carried out at the University of Illinois in Chicago found that people who rinsed their mouth with black tea for one minute, ten times daily had less plaque on their teeth compared to people who only rinsed their mouth with water. Rinsing with tea also made the plaque less sticky as apparently it makes it harder for plaque bacteria to clump together. Tea, in particular black tea has been found to fight bad breath as the polyphenols supress bacteria responsible for producing noxious smelling compounds in the mouth.
Cheese
Cheese contains lots of calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy teeth and gums so it is hardly a surprise to hear it is good for teeth. It is thought that eating cheese helps to neutralize acids while the calcium protects and hardens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acids. The act of eating cheese stimulates the flow of saliva which is very good for washing away some of the excess bacteria in the mouth.
Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Eating foods that require a lot of crunching, such as apples, celery and carrots helps to disturb the layer of plaque on the teeth as the fibre in these foods has a slight scrubbing action. At the same time these foods have high water contents, rinsing away excess bacteria.
Foods High In Vitamins and Minerals
Choosing foods high in vitamins will help ensure your gums have all the nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong, enabling them to fight infection and to repair themselves more easily. These foods include meat, eggs and fish. Foods that are high in calcium and phosphate, including leafy greens, almonds and dairy products will help harden your tooth enamel so it is more resistant to acids in the mouth. Milk is very good for neutralizing acids produced by plaque bacteria, so opt for a glass of milk to wash down a sugary dessert.
You can also improve your dental health by making smart choices when snacking. If you need to eat between meals then try to choose foods that are good for your teeth, such as cheese or crunchy fruits and vegetables. Keep sugary and carbohydrate rich snacks as part of a main meal because your mouth becomes more acidic every time you eat something sugary or starchy. Frequent snacking increases the number of times your teeth are exposed to strong acids, weakening your tooth enamel and increasing your susceptibility to tooth decay.
A good, healthy and tooth friendly diet is largely down to common sense, but thinking about your food choices and the times they are eaten can make a difference to your dental health. When combined with good professional dental and oral care at home, this can reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
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* Source: nationalsmilemonth.org
