Food for Healthy Teeth: Tips for oral health and dental hygiene

Dental health is not always about cleaning and flossing teeth regularly. The food one eats is also equally responsible for oral health. There are simple everyday foods that have powerful cleansing properties that help with better oral health. Here are seven foods for healthy teeth and gums.

Cheese

In a research published in the journal General Dentistry earlier this year, it was reported that 12 to 15-year-old children who ate cheddar cheese had a lower acid level in their mouths than those who ate sugar–free yogurt or drank a glass of milk. Cheese helps in neutralising the effect of plaque acid. Chewing cheese helps in increasing saliva production. This technique also helps in reducing bacteria in the mouth.

Green tea and black tea

Black tea and green tea contains compounds called polyphenols. These compounds help in slowing down the growth of bacteria which causes cavities and gum disease. The researchers of the University of Illinois at Chicago found that people who rinsed their mouths with black tea for one minute, ten times a day, have less plaque build-up.

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Cranberries

According to a study published in the journal Caries Research, cranberries contain similar levels of polyphenols as tea, which may keep plaque from sticking to teeth and thus lower the risk of cavities. Due to the fruit being tart, many products of cranberry have added sugar, which affects the potential benefits for teeth. To extract the most benefit from the fruit, it would be best to consume it whole rather than in jams or other sweets.

Raisins

Raisins are naturally sweet. It does not contain any table sugar or sucrose. Sugar enables bacteria to stick to the tooth surface, which in turn allows them to produce plaque. Raisins are also a source of phytochemicals, which may kill cavity-causing plaque bacteria. There are certain compounds in raisins that affect the growth of bacteria associated with gum disease.

Sugarless gum   

After a meal, it is a good habit to have sugarless chewing gum. Chewing gum helps in boosting saliva production, preventing the growth of bacteria inside the mouth. Always prefer a sugarless gum as sucrose aids in the growth of bacteria.

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Fish

Calcium is one of the most essential nutrients required for oral health. However, if the body does not have enough Vitamin D, the calcium could not be absorbed. Fish with an adequate amount of fat like Salmon are a fantastic source of Vitamin D, which helps in the growth of teeth and gums. This increases the amount of calcium provided to the body. 

Oranges

Orange being a citrus fruit, is rich in Vitamin C, which helps in reducing inflammation slowing down the progression of gum disease. Vitamin C also strengthens blood vessels and connective tissue. It is a good practice to wait for half an hour before brushing teeth after consuming citrus fruits.

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