It is a myth that just brushing and flossing is enough to keep your mouth healthy. Oral health care consists of a lot more than that, and one of the major factors apart from good oral hygiene is the diet. The kind of foods consumed, their frequency, the timing, everything plays an important role. Below is a list of teeth-friendly foods you should be indulging in!!
Cheese: Cheers all the cheese lovers!! Our all-time favorite dairy product is not only tasty but good for the teeth as well. Cheese contains calcium and proteins that help strengthen our enamel. Moreover, when we consume cheese, the pH in our mouth is raised, helping the remineralization of the teeth enamel. P.s- this claim is based on an article published by the American Academy of general dentistry, so yes it is definitely true.
Crunchy vegetables: Cheers to all the moms who make sure their families consume veggies. Vegetables like carrots, zucchini, cucumbers are awesome for general and dental health both alike. They are rich in fiber and every time when chewed on, rub against the tooth surface disturbing the plaque layer and thereby protecting our teeth from the cavity-causing microbes. Also, the rigorous chewing gives a good massage to the gums and strengthens the facial muscles. Enough reasons to have salads more often!!
Apples: aka nature’s toothbrush. It works wonders for improving oral health, similar to the crunchy veggies, it is just a lot tastier. As a dentist having a crazy sweet tooth, it helps me satiate my craving for something sweet. Also, I prefer to have this fruit post meals, as it cleanses away the remnants of sticky foods due to the vigorous chewing giving me double benefits.
Strawberries: These summer berries can naturally whiten your teeth. The malic acid in these berries have the ability to remove stains from the enamel surface. For the very same reason there have been quite a few DIY strawberry based whitening pastes, but eating them in the raw form without any additives is more advisable, safe and a dentist-approved way to go.
Green and black teas: Both the kinds of teas contain polyphenols that arrest the growth of harmful microbes in the mouth, thereby helping the teeth and the gums stay healthy. Although it is important that drinking tea should not in any way be an excuse to consume those extra spoons of sugar, and I by no means promote that, just thought I should mention!!
Stay tuned for the next article of the Dental diet series: The top 5 foods for healthy gums!!
