Foods that Boost Oral Health

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Foods that Boost Oral Health

As far as oral hygiene goes, you are what you eat! Even if you have a decent oral hygiene routine, the health of your teeth and gums is in danger if you do not watch your diet. Sugar from your soda or candy or sweetened fruit juice gets in contact with plaque, it produce acids—the main cause of tooth decay! This does not mean that all food lead to tooth decay.

Your teeth and gum, like other parts of our body, need good nutrition to function properly. Here, we will talk about some food that will not only provides the crucial nutrients for healthy gums and teeth, but also increase your oral health.

1Nuts

Nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts and cashews are rich in calcium and phosphorous. The calcium helps nourish and support healthy gum tissue. Walnuts are rich in protein, dietary fiber, folacin, iron, vitamin E, potassium and other nutrients, which are good for the teeth.

2Yoghurt

Yoghurt contains calcium and protein which boost the health and strength of your teeth. It contains probiotics that helps protect your teeth from bacteria that causes cavities. If you plan to include yoghurt in your diet, go for the plain and sugarless variety.

3Leafy greens

Leafy greens are full of nutrients and they often made it to any healthy food list. Leafy greens like kale and spinach have rich calcium content which helps strengthen the enamel on your teeth. They are also rich in folic acid (a type of B vitamin) which helps fight gum disease in pregnant women.

4Apples

While dentists usually recommend staying away from sweet foods, there are some exceptions. Fruits like apples are sweet but they are also rich in fiber and water. Eating an apple produces saliva in mouth and rinses the bacteria and other food particles. The fibrous texture of the fruit is also good for your gums. Eating an apple also keeps your mouth clean and fresh. Munch on a whole apple after lunch to give your mouth a good scrubbing after the meal.

5Carrots

Carrots too are crunchy and fibrous. Like apples, eating a carrot or two at the end of a meal will help you get healthy teeth and gums. The fibers in this fruits help increase the level of saliva in your mouth and protects you from cavity by eliminating the acid forming bacteria.

6Cheese

Cheese is rich in calcium and protein and helps strengthen the enamel of your teeth. Studies show that eating cheese increases the pH in the your mouth, thereby lowering the risk of tooth decay. It also increases saliva which helps lower the acid level in your mouth.

7Onions

Though onions have a bad name for producing bad breath, they are actually good for maintaining your oral health. Onions do not have any pigments and so they do not leave stains on your teeth. They also contain allicin, an antimicrobial compound helps fight gum disease and keep cavity causing bacteria at bay.

8Celery

Though celery tastes bland, it is high in water content. It’s fibrous texture can removes food particles  and bacteria from your teeth. It is also rich in vitamins A and C,two antioxidants that will boost the health of your gums.

9Water

Your teeth get a lot of benefits from water. It helps remove food particles and boost the level of saliva in your mouth. Saliva contains proteins and minerals that neutralizes enamel-eating acids and helps fight plaque. So if you stay hydrated, you have unlimited supply of saliva, the best defense against tooth decay.

10BONUS: Chewing Gum

Though this is the least expected item to be included in a diet plan, chewing unsweetened gum is actually good for your oral health. It increase the flow of saliva and, in turn, reduces plaque acid, strengthen the teeth and fights tooth decay. However, chewing sugar-containing gum is counterproductive because even though it helps produce saliva, the sugar is used by bacteria to produce tooth decaying acids.

 

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