Foods Good For Your Oral Health

Foods Good For Your Oral Health

In order to prevent cavities and to maintain your oral health, diet, what you eat and how often you eat is an important factor. From the moment you begin to eat certain foods, changes happen in the mouth. Bacteria in the mouth begin to turn sugar from food into acid. Acid is beginning to attack the tooth enamel causing cavities. The more we eat or we have the tend to take snack more often or to chew something, we expose to tooth decay.

Food And Beverage Beneficial For Teeth

Diet And Oral Health

The best choices for healthy teeth should include: cheese, meat, nuts and milk. These foods are rich sources of calcium and phosphorus which helps tooth enamel remineralization, affected by acids.

Other options include crispy fruits like apples, pears and vegetables. They have a high water content, dilutes the sugar content and stimulates production of saliva (which helps to protect against cavities, washing and counteracting the effects of the acids). Acidic foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes should be consumed as part of a varied meals to minimize the effect of the acid which is contained by this type of foods.

Candies, biscuits, cakes, pies, bakery products, chips, pretzels, french fries, bananas, raisins and dried fruits, in general, are a dangerous choice for teeth.

Sweeteners And Sugar-Free Products

There are sugar substitutes that have the same look and taste with sugar, but their digestion do not produce tooth decay. If a product is being advertised as sugar-free, does not necessarily mean that it is safe for enamel. This only means that the product dose not have in its composition sugar, but can contain in other natural sweeteners like honey, molasses, fructose, which have the same effect on teeth.

How Does Chewing Gum Affects Our Teeth?

The use of sugar-free chewing gum is good for teeth because the remaining food particles between teeth are removed by chewing and increases saliva flow which protects against cavities. Chewing gum can be a problem if you have jaw pain.

How To Take Care Of Our Teeth?

Here are the stages of dental care:

• Brush your teeth regularly. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and preferably after every meal and snack.
•  Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. If you have sensitive teeth, use a toothpaste with high potassium content.
• Use interdental floss at least once a day.
• Visit your dentist at least twice a year.
• Eat a large variety of foods. Eat healthier snacks which are not containing sugar or starch.

Diet And Oral Health

Choosing foods that naturally fight bacteria, they remove plaque, strengthen the enamel and will fight bad breath. This represent an effective way to keep your teeth healthy. Here are ten suggestions of such foods:

Celery

Celery protects your teeth in two ways, chewing and eating this vegetable will encourage the production of saliva and is a naturally abrasive which will massage your gums and will clean your interdental spaces. Try to chew several pieces of celery or carrot at least once a day.

Cheese

Recent studies have shown that cheeses by their poor content of carbohydrates and high content of calcium and phosphorus helps balance pH, maintain and restore enamel. Try to eat a cube of cheese, about 14 g, instead of dessert, after dinner.

Green Tea

Green tea contains substances that kill bacteria that cause decay and bad breath. Try to drink between 2 and 5 cups of green tea daily.

Kiwi

Kiwi contains more vitamin C compared to its size than any other fruit. Studies have shown that vitamin C deficiency leads to collapse of collagen in the gums leaving them vulnerable to bacteria that cause periodontal disease. A breakfast with kiwi should become a habit that you should follow.

Onions

Onions contain sulfur compounds that are most effective antibacterial when onions are eaten raw. Try to enter a few slices of onion on sandwiches and salads.

Food for Dental Health

Parsley

Chewing parsley or mint leaves after a harsh-smelling meal will be helpful in maintaining a fresh breath. These herbs contain volatile substances that pass rapidly from the blood into the lungs, where are released by breathing.

Sesame seeds

Besides the mechanical action of cleaning and plaque control, sesame seeds are rich in calcium. Sprinkle a teaspoon of sesame seeds over salad or steamed vegetables for easy cleaning of the teeth and 87 mg of calcium.

Shiitake Mushrooms

Lentinan is a form of sugar found in shiitake mushrooms that prevent oral bacteria to produce plaque. Several times per week added to soup 4-5 shiitake mushrooms.

Wasabi

Also known as Japanese horseradish, wasabi will protect your teeth by the same chemical that gives the spicy taste. It prevents growth of bacteria which cause cavities.

Water

By drinking water we keep our gums hydrated and we stimulate our salivary glands. Rinsing the mouth with water helps us to clean the mouth. Try to drink at least 2 liters of water a day, when you can not wash your teeth thoroughly, rinse with water.

Maintain a healthy smile by using the tips above.