5 Foods to Eat For Healthy Teeth and Gums

Taking care of your teeth involves visiting a dentist for proper dental teeth cleaning. It’s also equally important to maintain good oral hygiene at home. When you practice good oral health and regularly visit the dentist, you’re more likely to keep your teeth healthy throughout your lifetime.

Brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist aren’t the only ways to promote oral health. Just like there are foods that are good for your heart and brain and better digestion, there are also foods that help your mouth stay clean and healthy.

Here are five foods to eat for a healthier mouth and smile:

1. Crunchy Foods

Carrots and apples have tons of antioxidants and they can clean your teeth with their rough surfaces. This breaks up the plaque just like a toothbrush at the same time your body gets a boost of nutrients and vitamins.

2. Cranberries

Cranberries have polyphenols, which help prevent plaque from sticking to the surface of your teeth. Eating fresh cranberries, therefore, lowers your risk of cavities and tooth decay. However, it’s a good idea to avoid cranberry products that have been sweetened with sugar. Because of their tart natural flavor, many producers load sugar onto cranberries which can actually promote tooth decay.

3. Raisins

Raisins have their own natural sweetness and do not damage your teeth. When you eat raisins, it can satisfy your sugar craving. This tasty snack has phytochemicals that also help kill the bacteria in your mouth and help prevent gum disease.

4. Tea

Just like cranberries, tea has polyphenols. Polyphenols reduce the speed at which bacteria grow and can slow down the development of plaque. Swishing black tea around in your mouth can help slow down the accumulation of plaque. The tea can help stop bacteria from clumping together and forming plaque.

5. Greens High in Calcium

Calcium and phosphate repair lesions in your teeth, making them stronger. Acidic foods can cause lesions where bacteria gather, causing additional damage and decay. When you consume greens that are high in calcium such as kale you can help your teeth repair themselves and stave off cavities.

Tips on Gum Care

Gum disease infects the tissues that support your teeth. Eating the right foods is one way to combat gum disease, but it’s also important to know how to care for your teeth and gums if you do develop gum disease. Besides bleeding and discomfort caused by the inflammation, untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss.

Gently clean your gum line when you brush and floss between your teeth to get rid of any trapped food particles. When you go for your cleaning, your hygienist can remove tartar and plaque in areas that are hard to reach.

Preventing Tooth Decay and Cavities

When sugar reacts with plaque buildup in your mouth, acid is released. This softens the enamel on your teeth. If you want to prevent cavities, remove as much plaque as you can with frequent brushing and flossing.

Along with eating the right foods, avoiding sugary drinks, such as carbonated sodas, can improve your oral health. Use a mouthwash daily but wait a few minutes after you brush so that your teeth can absorb as much fluoride as possible. If you swish the mouthwash around your teeth too much, you can actually wash away the fluoride. Gargling mouthwash at the back of your throat is the best way to use it effectively.

For more tips on the best foods and practices in your oral health, be sure to contact Artistic Touch Dentistry to see how we can help you achieve a healthy smile for life!