Submitted by: Russell Roderick
We all hear about foods that are bad for your teeth. Sticky sweets and sugar-laden sodas can wreak havoc with your pearly whites. But did you know that there are also foods that are good for your teeth and gums? Besides, foods that are good for your overall dental health, there are also foods that help with maintaining the whiteness of your teeth. People who eat unhealthy foods and live unhealthy lifestyles are most likely to suffer with poor dental health and they are most likely to have yellow and stained teeth.
Here is a list of dentally healthy foods to eat.
Cheese.
Maybe theres a reason that we say cheese when smiling for a picture. With high levels of calcium and phosphate, cheese promotes healthy teeth, balances the oral PH levels and can destroy bacteria that causes cavities and gum disease. With its richness in calcium, phosphorus and protein, cheese can help defend against the acids in your mouth. Aside from this, calcium and phosphorus also aid in the repair and re-mineralization of teeth and its enamel. Less damage to tooth enamel means less discoloration. As dairy products also contain lactic acid, cheese also helps protect against tooth decay. If you eat hard cheeses, they can also provide you with a natural tooth scrub, so go ahead and indulge yourself!
Dairy Products.
Other than cheese, milk and yogurt are rich in calcium and low in acidity- both positive things for your teeth and gums.
Green Tea.
This delicious drink is an anti-oxidant soup which prevents plaque from accumulating on your teeth, reducing cavities and bad breath. Just be sure to take it easy on the added sugar and honey!
Kiwi.
Most fruits are laden with Vitamin C and eating them can give your gums a good healthy massage as well. Kiwis are exceptionally high in C, which can increase the collagen in your gums and make them stronger.
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Onions.
Sure- raw onions can make your breath pretty smelly. But the sulfur compounds that contribute to temporary bad breath also kill dangerous bacteria that harm the teeth. Brush, floss, and rinse after you eat them to reduce the temporary scent.
Celery.
Eat plenty of celery. Raw celery massages your gums, can reduce the amount of plaque on your teeth, and can increase the production of healthy saliva.
Sesame seeds.
These little wonders actually can scrape plaque from your teeth and are packed with tooth-strengthening calcium.
Sweet potato.
These beauties are loaded with Vitamin A and are especially good for babies whose teeth are developing.
Shitake mushrooms.
Believe it or not, these tasty fungi often found in Asian foods contain a sugar that prevents plaque from forming on your teeth.
Water.
Theres a reason why water is called the gift of life and you would be hard pressed to find a healthy food list without it. Dentally speaking, water keeps your mouth hydrated, cleans and rinses your teeth and gums, stimulates saliva production, and can dislodge trapped food particles.
As great as these foods are, there is much more to healthy teeth and gums than loading up on celery, cheese and water.
Foods That Whiten Your Teeth
As per AACD or American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, there are certain food items that naturally brighten and cleanse the gums and teeth. Also, a survey by AACD shows that 99.7% adults believe that a healthy smile is important socially and almost 74% of adults feel that an unattractive smile affects the success of your career and even their lives.
So, to help you get the pearly white teeth naturally, try these 5 foods:
Strawberries
Despite its bright red color, the chief component of strawberries is malic acid. This acts as a natural astringent which removes discoloration of the teeths surface. With the added benefit of ellagitannins, antioxidants, they can help reduce stain-attracting bacteria. Strawberries might stain your shirt, but you should try mashing them up and rubbing them on your teeth. After five minutes, rinse it with water and youll see the difference after a couple of tries!
Carrots
Carrots are rich in Vitamin A, which is essential in maintaining healthy tooth enamel. Apart from this, it has high water content that stimulates the production of saliva, the mouths natural cleanser. This aids in washing away food debris and strengthening your gums. Its crunchiness is also an agent in scrubbing your teeth clean and preventing bacteria build-up.
Broccoli
As we know, acids or acidic food is the main reason for enamel breakdown, this vegetable is rich in iron, which aids in the formation of acid-resistant film or barrier that protects tooth enamel, preventing stains and cavities. With its high fiber content, eating lots of broccoli helps reduce oral inflammation. Like carrots, its crisp and crunchy texture, act as a natural brush that can give your mouth a natural scrub and polish.
Apple
Apples may be bad news for Snow White, but theyre good news for your teeth! Its crunchiness, much like carrots, also serves as a natural toothbrush. Its crispiness also helps strengthen the gums. They also have a high water content that increases the production of saliva, which aids in scattering and nullifying bacteria colonies that cause bad breath and plaque. The malic acid, which is found in most teeth whitening products such as toothpaste, can also be found in apples, acting as a natural teeth whitening agent.
Fish
Believe it or not, but fish actually assists with maintaining the whiteness of your pearly white teeth and it also prevents gum diseases, this is because of its Omega-3 presence and it also reduces inflammation.
There are a plenty more food that you can eat while maintaining the health of your choppers. Basically, you can look for the essential components or ingredients like crispiness or crunchiness, the malic acid, high water content and calcium, phosphorus or protein. Dr Roderick of Aesthetic Family Dentistry in Phoenix strongly recommends eating these foods to maintain the health and the whiteness of your teeth.
About the Author: Dr. Roderick of Aesthetic Family Dentistry in Phoenix, AZ (
aestheticfamilydentistryaz.com/
) is a graduate from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine with a Doctorate of Dental Medicine, as well as a graduate of the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum.He has invested over 2,000 hours to date in quality continuing education, concentrating on aesthetics, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dental implants, periodontal (gum) therapy and oral care as it relates to cardiac and systemic diseases. He has earned his Fellowship in Academy of General Dentistry accreditation, and he is on the track to earning his Mastership. Additionally, he has earned his Advanced Education in General Dentistry Certificate from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry.
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