Your Diet Matters
Did you know the foods you eat, and how often you eat them, can greatly affect your general health– as well as the health of your teeth and gums? It’s not just about healthy food for your body– your mouth matters too.
Eat this, not that
There are so many foods that can benefit both your body and mouth. It’s very important to eat foods that are high in Vitamin C and D, and foods that contain polyphenals. Polyphenals slow the growth of bacteria leading to plaque– preventing gum disease, bad breath, and even cavities.
In addition, you should also eat foods containing anthocyanins. These are thought to fight oral cancer, and prevent the attachment of plaque on your teeth. Let’s take a look at 15 of the best food choices that benefit your oral health the most.
Cranberries contain lots of polyphenals, which keep plaque away. Fresh cranberries are even better at effectively disrupting the process of plaque formation.
The next time you have a sweet tooth, grab some cranberries and eat up!
2- Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are high in calcium, and great for scrubbing plaque off your teeth while you chew them. They’re an awesome snack for when you aren’t starving, but want something to hold you over until your next meal.
Gum isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of oral health. However, gum is good for your mouth because it removes food particles that can become stuck in hard to reach places. Always choose a sugar free gum, since too much sugar will rot your teeth.
4- Sweet Potatoes
If you want perfect teeth, eat sweet potatoes! They’re filled with vitamin A, which will work wonders for your enamel and gums.
While it’s true that raisins are sticky and can become stuck in between your teeth, they’re also a wonderful source of phytochemicals like oleanolic, which can kill cavity causing bacterias. They’re also rich in antioxidants, which makes them very good for you. Make sure to brush and floss thoroughly after snacking on raisins.
Strawberries are one of our favorite snacks! They have Vitamin C, antioxidants and also malic acid, which works as a natural teeth whitener.
Yogurt has tons of calcium and probiotics. These help to protect your teeth and gums against bad breath, cavities, and even gum disease.
Carrots have some of the best vitamins and minerals for your mouth, and they come highly recommended by dental proffesionals.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but how about the dentist? You’ll still need to see us twice a year, but your teeth will be healthier. Apples have a plethora of vitamins and nutrients that your body and mouth need.
10- Raw Onions
If you want perfect teeth, eat onions! When eaten raw, onions have amazingly powerful antibacterial properties that work to fight against the bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities.
Most fruits are pretty acidic, but that’s not the case with pears. They work well to neutralize acids, so the next time you’re craving some fruit– reach for the pears.
12- Shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are fighters! They contain lentinan, which is a natural sugar that interrupts the formation of plaque on your teeth. Anything that can help fight plaque naturally is always recommended.
Garlic contains strong antimicrobial properties. In other words, by eating garlic– you fight tooth decay and periodontal disease. Just be sure to brush your teeth after you eat it, so you don’t have bad breath.
14- Whole Grains
Studies show that eating whole grains can have a tremendous impact on your oral health. This is because they lower the risk of gum disease. Try oatmeal or brown rice for the biggest impact.
Kiwis are good for you since they have one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C. This makes them a perfect snack at any time– day or night.
We hope you’ve found some snacks on this list that you enjoy. Cooking your foods in different way helps to mix things up a little. For example, if you always eat your carrots raw, try steaming them. Keeping things new and different prevents you from getting tired of certain foods.
Not only will your oral health be better, you may be able to prevent two of the most common diseases: tooth decay and periodontal disease– simply by improving your diet!
Dr. Randall Burba is an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accredited dentist, practicing in Salem, Massachusetts. He considers himself an artist–with teeth and beyond! He often paints, draws and has a passion for woodworking.