A smile is worth a thousand words. Well maintained teeth behind a smile compliment that smile. Hence, it is very important that we take care of our teeth by brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, scraping our tongue, using mouthwash after a meal, etc. In addition to all the mentioned, did you know that the foods and drinks we consume can influence the health of our teeth?
The difference between a healthy smile and regular visits to the dentist might be your diet. Even if you have a perfect oral hygiene routine, it might be hard to keep your teeth healthy, if you don’t watch what you eat. We know that sugars, fizzy drinks, and acidic foods can cause harm to our teeth. However, there are many types of food that not only do not harm your teeth as much but can even give a big boost to your oral health. These foods and drinks can match even the fanciest toothpaste and mouthwashes in terms of your oral care benefits.
So, check the list in alphabetical order of some of the best foods for your mouth!
1. Apples
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but nobody has said about a dentist. However, it might since it is packed with key nutrients and vitamins.
2. Black Coffee
Who would have known that your daily dosage of coffee can help? Recent studies have shown that black coffee could protect your teeth from tooth decay and help fight plaque. Of course, the coffee needs to be black and unsweetened.
3. Black and Green Tea
Black and green tea have polyphenols. Polyphenols have been known to reduce bacteria and toxic products of bacteria in the mouth. Tea also tends to be rich in fluoride, which is a well-known requirement for healthy teeth. Tea is best if consumed unsweetened as sugar and even honey could ruin the effect.
4. Carrots
The joke about not seeing a rabbit with glasses is well known but carrots also have some very important minerals and vitamins for your mouth. No wonder Bugs Bunny has perfect teeth.
5. Celery
Celery acts as a natural floss and is a perfect snack for good oral health.
6. Cheese
Cheddar is rich in calcium and reduces the acid level in your mouth which is one of the main causes for plaque build-up. Chewing on hard cheeses increases saliva production, which washes off some of the bacteria in the mouth. Harder the cheese, better is your option. Plus, it should be well aged as well.
7. Cranberries
Fresh cranberries are in polyphenols which we mentioned is also found in tea. Fresh cranberries are effective at disrupting the process of plaque formation and thereby reducing cavities.
8. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens such as spinach, broccoli and kale are rich in calcium, folic acid and lots of important vitamins and minerals that your teeth and gums love.
9. Fish
Fish which are high in fat such as wild salmon and tuna are rich in minerals and important vitamins like Vitamin D. if you are not a vegetarian, include fish in your teeth-friendly diet.
10. Garlic
Garlic contains allicin which has strong antimicrobial properties. Needless to say, it helps you fight tooth decay and periodontal disease.
11. Ginger
Ginger is a superfood and very amazing. Ginger is used to freshen your breath and inhibit bacteria growth.
12. Gum
You have a range of gums in the market because chewing gum boosts saliva production, washing away bacteria and food particles.
13. Kiwis
Kiwis have one of the highest concentrations of vitamin C.
14. Meat
Most meats are great for your oral health. They are packed with some of the most important nutrients mentioned above. Red meat and even organ meats are especially beneficial.
15. Milk
Together with water, milk is the best drink when it comes to your teeth. Milk is rich in calcium and other important elements. It also lowers the acid levels in the mouth, which helps in fighting tooth decay.
16. Nuts
Nuts are full of health benefits for your teeth. They are packed with calcium and phosphorus. Some of the nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts and cashews help to fight bacteria which cause tooth decay.
17. Onions
Ever wanted to run away from anyone with onion breath? But when eaten raw, onions have powerful anti-bacterial properties and inhibit bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.
18. Oranges
While fruits that are acidic are not beneficial to your teeth such as most citrus fruits, oranges are the least acidic of all, and have all the health benefits that you can expect from fruits.
19. Pears
Raw pears are good at neutralising acids, which makes them a perfect snack at any time.
20. Raisins
While raisins are considered to be not beneficial sometimes, they are a source of phytochemicals like oleanolic, which may kill cavity-causing bacteria. They are also rich in antioxidants.
21. Red Wine
While drinking wine is discouraged for oral care, according to a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a glass of red wine can have a strong antimicrobial effect against cavities causing bacteria.
22. Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are high in calcium and very efficient at scrubbing plaque off your teeth while you chew them.
23. Shiitake Mushrooms
Who does not love mushrooms? The tasty Asian mushrooms are a plaque’s nightmare. They contain lentinan, a natural sugar that disrupts the formation of plaque on your teeth.
24. Soy
It is considered that soy in your diet may help promote healthy gums.
25. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes have vitamin A and including them in your diet will benefit your enamel and gums.
26. Strawberries
Strawberries are packed with Vitamin C, antioxidants, and also malic acid, which could even naturally whiten your teeth.
27. Wasabi
For those that love sushi, there is some evidence that wasabi stops bacteria from sticking to your teeth.
28. Water
Water is nature’s best drink. Water helps to wash away food particles and keeps your saliva levels high. Saliva is actually your mouth’s best defence against tooth decay because it contains proteins and minerals that naturally fight plaque. By drinking good quantities of water, you ensure that your saliva levels are high and thereby beneficial to your teeth.
29. Whole Grains
It is known that whole grains (oatmeal, brown rice) can lower the risk of gum disease.
30. Yogurt
Yogurt definitely ticks more than one good box for your oral health. It’s packed with calcium and probiotics that protect you against cavities, gum disease and even bad breath.
Always remember the basics
While the above list is very beneficial to your oral health, you still need to get the basics right which is brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Even though some of the foods and drinks can benefit your teeth, it is always a good idea to clean your teeth from the remaining food particles, sugars, and acids.
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