Brushing and flossing are known to be methods of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. However, what you eat and drink can also have an impact on the state of your teeth.
To maintain good oral health, it is vital to take good care of your teeth, and a healthy diet is key. You can keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy for a lifetime if you follow a balanced and nutritious diet and practice good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice a day and visiting a dentist once in a while.
One of the most critical aspects of maintaining good oral health is following a healthy diet. If you eat and drink too much sugar or carbohydrates, you may develop tooth decay and cavities. Foods and drinks high in acid, such as sodas and citrus fruits, can erode tooth enamel, causing tooth sensitivity and decay. In case you hadn’t paid attention to your teeth before, now might be a good time to get started. The first step is to visit a clinic that offers family dentistry in wayzata (or in your vicinity) to get a basic checkup and find out if any issues need to be addressed. Your dentist can also advise you on how to improve your oral health and what foods to include in your diet to achieve better oral health.
When choosing a diet, make sure you include nutrients that can make your teeth stronger, and ensure there’s a low amount of sugar and acidic foods in it. Here is a list of foods that can help you sustain a healthy mouth.
Leafy Greens
Eating a bowl of leafy greens such as spinach helps cleanse your mouth. This is mainly because they take a lot of chewing; but the high water content, vitamins and minerals included also give your teeth a loving treatment.
Green leaves such as kale are rich in calcium (which builds enamel) and also contain folic acid which is used to treat gum disease in pregnant women.
Dairy Products
Cheese and yoghurt are both fantastic for your teeth. They are rich in calcium and protein which strengthen and build up your teeth.
Cheese is also shown to raise pH levels in your mouth, reducing risks of tooth decay.
The healthy bacteria in yoghurts is also found to be a great benefit for your gums as the good bacteria helps fight of bad bacteria that can cause cavities!
While preventive care is very important, it is also crucial that you recognize any signs of tooth decay or other issues and pay the emergency dentist a visit if it hurts too much. Do not neglect going to the clinic and rely only on these foods.
Almonds
Similarly to dairy, almonds are full of calcium and proteins which do wonders for your teeth. Almonds are also naturally low in sugar, which helps you get the full benefits of their calcic properties without having to worry about sugar damage.
Strawberries
These berries contain malic acid, which is a natural enamel whitener. If you eat enough strawberries you can help your teeth stay stain free.
The seeds do get stuck in your teeth, so be sure to floss afterwards.
Apples
Apples are another fruit that a great for your teeth. Their natural sugars help neutralise harmful acids in your mouth.
Because apples are full of water, eating those helps rinse away bacteria and food particles left in your mouth.
The texture of the apple is also said to stimulate gums and act as a great refresher after a meal to cleanse your mouth.
Celery
Similarly to apples, celery works super well at cleaning out your mouth.
An added benefit of celery is the stringy particles within it which get in between your teeth and give them a great clean.
Onions
Raw onion is so good for you, and the sulphur compounds that are contained within them also kill harmful bacteria in your teeth.
It may be an idea to chew gum afterwards though…
Sesame Seeds
These little seeds work hard to scrub bacteria and plaque from your teeth. They’re also high in calcium!
Similarly to strawberry seeds it’s important that you floss and remove seeds that are stuck in your teeth as quickly as possible.