Having healthy teeth and a healthy mouth is quite essential to have in modern society and for your own good overall health. Taking care of your teeth is not that hard. In fact, there are some foods and beverages that help your teeth get healthier. According to many recent studies conducted by dental professionals such as Dentists at Pymble – St Ives, tooth decay can be prevented by eating healthy food and having healthy eating patterns. Conversely, eating unhealthy food can have a huge negative impact on your overall health.
How does food impact our teeth?
Eating food such as cereals, fruits and vegetables, low-sugar bread and even quality protein which is healthy for our mouth and teeth can benefit us in many ways. For instance, eating fruits because chewing fibrous, watery, coarse, and firm foods helps to produce saliva and remove leftover food from the mouth.
Although, there are not only fruits and vegetables that make your mouth healthier. However, many people do not know about these facts. Therefore, here are the 10 best foods to eat for healthy teeth and mouth:
- Dairy products
It is an undeniable fact that dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are healthy and are the most commonly eaten food all over the globe. They are basically a necessity. These dairy products help your body to produce more saliva which protects your teeth. Furthermore, they also strengthen your teeth because dairy products are rich in protein and calcium. Eating dairy products such as yogurt has probiotics, also known as beneficial bacteria, and they can help you to improve your digestive system. However, if you are allergic to dairy products, then you can drink nut milk which is rich in protein as well as calcium.
- Raw vegetables
Another best food to eat is raw vegetables. Chewing or eating raw vegetables such as carrots and celery can help you maintain the health of your teeth and gums by stimulating them. Furthermore, these vegetables like carrots and celery also help your body create vitamin A by providing beta carotene, and vitamin A is the most important nutrient needed in order to build strong teeth. As a bonus, carrots and celery also provide vitamin C and fiber which is great for your teeth and body.
- Apples
According to many doctors and dentists, apples are nature’s toothbrush. Terrey Hills Dental, a dentist in St Ives, Australia has found that patients who eat apples regularly have noticeably better teeth than those who don’t! There are many reasons behind this. One of the reasons is that eating an apple can stimulate your gums and even decrease the rate of the bacteria that is causing cavities in your teeth. Additionally, chewing and eating an apple can also stimulate the saliva flow in your mouth which is essential in decreasing mouth acidity, and in order to wash away food particles. Moreover, there is a common saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” This saying is technically accurate since eating an apple can improve your overall health as well.
- Leafy greens
If you want to become healthier, then you should start eating vegetables more than ever because vegetables have various health benefits without having any downsides to it, and are not calorie-dense. They help your mouth produce saliva by providing minerals and vitamins which in turn keep your enamel healthy. Leafy greens such as spinach, collard greens, chard, and kale are rich in minerals and vitamins while having zero or very low calories. You can always add leafy greens to your salad, and if you do not go crazy on the dressings, you can keep eating leafy greens and benefit from it.
- Fish
Fishes are one of the most eaten meat all over the globe. Many people like eating fish and on the plus side fishes also have many health benefits to it. According to many recent studies, a person eating a certain fish has decreased risk of suffering from periodontitis. Furthermore, cold fish like wild salmon, trout, and tuna are rich in heart-healthy fats and vitamin D and can help your overall health as well.
- Nuts
Similar to the first few foods, chewing on nuts can also help your body produce saliva. This saliva helps to neutralize cavity-causing bacteria. Nuts such as almonds are rich in calcium, and just eating a handful of almonds every day can provide you with the plenty of calcium you need. Nuts like walnuts are rich in minerals and vitamins such as vitamin E, zinc, and potassium. All of these vitamins and minerals are quite beneficial and essential for the teeth.
- Cranberries
According to many news and studies, there is a certain compound in cranberries that can prevent the formation of plaque deposits and can block bacteria from making teeth their home. Although cranberries may not be good for overall health, since it is beneficial for the teeth, you should try them. Always remember to eat fresh cranberries and not eat or drink cranberry juices or other products since they are going to be rich in sugar which is bad for your health.
- Black and green tea
Not only foods but certain healthy beverages such as black and green tea also help you get healthy teeth. These teas have many health benefits. According to certain research, it is said that they are rich in polyphenols that help to decrease the rate at which bacteria in your mouth grow, especially those which are associated with gum diseases and cavities. Furthermore, polyphenols can also help you prevent bad breath.
- Raisins
It may seem like raisins are unhealthy for our teeth due to their sweet taste and sticky appearance. However, it is quite the opposite. Phytochemicals have been found in raisins that fight the bacteria in your mouth that are responsible for cavities. Furthermore, they also do not contain sucrose.
- Other foods
Drinking plenty of water can help you prevent cavities as it will keep your mouth moist by eliminating dry mouth. Also, chewing on sugar-free gum can also help your mouth produce saliva, keeping your teeth healthy.
