Foods to Consume that Can Assist with Better Oral Health and Hygiene

There’s a popular phrase “You are what you eat” and that is especially true for the gums and teeth! To prevent issues like tooth decay and maintain good oral health, your diet, how often you eat, and what you eat are important factors.

Many tend to wait until their teeth are in very bad shape to go to the orthodontist. If you’re looking for a Las Vegas orthodontics center, you will find they will do an amazing job on your teeth. Good eating habits not only ensure good health but saves you time, energy, and money to fix a problem you could have prevented.

Consumption of too much sugary and starchy foods such as candy, cookies, cake, and potato chips causes tooth decay. Your teeth will be exposed to the cycle of tooth decay the more you eat and snack.

Frequent snacking, without brushing immediately afterward, is a recipe for disaster. When you give yourself some gaps between meals, the saliva has time to wash away food particles that bacteria would typically feast on. Try to cut down on snacks as much as you can and brush your teeth after each snack, if possible.

Eating varieties of foods from different food groups that are rich in nutrients promote healthy gums and teeth. Therefore, incorporating vegetables, fruits, protein foods, whole grains, and foods rich in calcium in your diet is vital.

What are the foods that benefit gum and teeth health?

Yogurt, milk, and cheese

There are a number of reasons why cheese contributes to healthy teeth. Cheese has a high calcium content (this helps to maintain bone density) and phosphate (balances the mouth’s pH levels) and is low in sugar. Present in cheese is a protein called casein that is exceptionally useful for strengthening enamel.

Like cheese, milk also lowers the acid levels in the mouth, which helps to fight off tooth decay and yogurt is loaded with probiotics and calcium that help control bad breath, gum diseases, and cavities.

Carrots, ​​Celery, and Crunchy Vegetables

Since many vegetables are fiber-rich, a lot of chewing is required to help break down the fibers, this helps in cleaning the surface of the teeth. Firm and crunchy foods stimulate the flow of saliva as they contain water making them excellent teeth cleaners.

Fresh and crunchy vegetables are also filled with the essential vitamins and minerals for your mouth.

Celery is filled with water and fiber making it a very adequate teeth cleaner found naturally and is known as nature’s dental floss. Carrots are also great at fighting off cavities. They effectively wash away any bacteria that cause teeth staining as they contain keratins, calcium, and vitamin C when blended with your saliva which are all contributing factors to dental health benefits.

Leafy Greens Such as Lettuce, Kale and Spinach

Greens can be eaten in a salad, sandwich, pasta, and many other ways. They are packed with folic acid, calcium, and plenty of important minerals and vitamins that your gums and teeth need.

Pears and Apples

Hard and fibrous fruits like apples and pears assist in cleaning your teeth and increasing salivation that neutralizes the malic and citric acids present in the mouth (keep in mind that apple juice can lead to decaying teeth).

Fresh apples and pears, on the other hand, will not cause any problems because chewing the fibrous texture of these fruits stimulates your gums, neutralizes decay-causing acids that further reduce cavity-causing bacteria.

Nuts

Nuts that are amazing sources of vitamins and minerals:

Cashews, brazil nuts, and almonds: filled with lots of essential elements like phosphorus and calcium that fight off tooth decay-causing bacteria.

Peanuts: calcium and vitamin D.

Walnuts: contain vitamin E, magnesium, iron, folic acid, niacin, fiber, thiamine, vitamin B6, zinc, and potassium.