The old adage “you are what you eat” is still prevalent to a great extent. Your mouth, teeth and gums are much more than just tools that you use for eating. They are absolutely essential for both eating and chewing which are the first steps of the digestion process.
Your mouth is the body’s initial point of contact with the food that you consume and so what you put inside the mouth influences not only the general health but also that of the teeth and the gums.
In fact, if your nutrition is not upto the mark, the first signs often appear in the mouth. Here are some of the food that are extremely beneficial for your teeth and you should eat constantly to boost your oral health. Just read on.
- Apples, Carrots and Celery – These snacks are known as dental detergents and there is a solid reason for calling them that. The crunchy veggies and fruits increase the production and flow of the cleansing saliva that refreshes your mouth and gives you fresh breath. Just ensure that the fruits you choose between the meals are not very high in acids as they can be hard on the tooth enamel.
- Cheese – If you are a cheese lover, now there is one more reason for you to relish that food. Eating cheese raises the pH of the subject’s mouth to a great extent and reduces the tooth decay risk. It is thought that the chewing which is called for while eating cheese enhances the level of saliva in the mouth. Cheese also contains protein, calcium and other nutrients that strengthen the tooth enamel.
- Raw Onions – Incorporate a slice or two of fresh onions on your sandwich. Research has revealed that the raw onions have the most powerful antibacterial properties. In an experiment, onions wiped out four strains of bacteria that can give rise to cavities and gum disease. Just be careful about your breath after consuming onions.
- Leafy Greens – The leafy greens find their way into any healthy food list all the time. They are full of minerals and vitamins and low in calories. Oral health is promoted by leafy greens like spinach and kale. They are high in calcium that builds up the enamel of the teeth. They also consist of folic acid which is a type of vitamin B that comes with numerous health benefits including possibly treating gum disease in pregnant women. If you have trouble getting leafy greens into the diet add some kale on your pizza or add a handful of baby spinach to the next salad. You can also add some greens to the smoothie for the same.
- Raisins – Raisins that are naturally sweets don’t contain table sugar or sucrose. Sugar makes bacteria stick to the surface of the tooth which can lead to the production of plaque. Raisins are also a source of phytochemicals that may kill cavity-causing plaque bacteria. Some compounds in the raisins also affect the growth of bacteria that are associated with gum disease.
The above are some of the healthy foods that can improve the dental health to a great extent. Apart form the above, you should also adhere to your oral care routine that includes the brushing and flossing of the teeth and going for regular visits to the office of the nearest dentist so that you can take care of your pearly whites and flaunt you smile whenever you want with confidence.
