Routine brushing and flossing help fight bacteria that create plaque. Plaque produces an acid that damages tooth enamel, causes dental issues, and sets the stage for periodontal diseases.
Now, an expanding body of research is discovering that certain foods might benefit teeth, too, and here are 7 foods to maintain your teeth healthy and pearly white:
1. Milk
Milk neutralizes the acid produced by plaque-causing microorganisms. Drinking a glass of milk a day might help protect teeth, too. Milk added to cereal doesn’t count as it adds sugar which is not good for your teeth.
2. Sugar-free Chewing Gum
Chewing gum every once in a while can be very beneficial to your dental health. Chewing increases saliva secretion which clears away some germs. The key phrase here is “sugar-free.” Germs rely on sucrose to create plaque.
3. Vitamin-rich foods
Foods rich in calcium such as cheese, almonds, and leafy green veggies — and foods high in phosphorous — such as meat, eggs, and fish — can keep tooth enamel strong, healthy, and well-balanced.
4. Crunchy foods
It takes significant chewing to break down foods such as cucumbers, carrots as well as apples. However, all that crunching isn’t fruitless. Chewing may disrupt dental plaque and work as a cleansing device. Chewing crunchy food may help clear bacteria from your mouth.
5. Raisins
Naturally sweet raisins do not have sucrose. Sugar aids germs adhere to the tooth surface, letting them generate plaque. Raisins are additionally a source of phytochemicals, which might eliminate cavity-causing plaque bacteria. Some compounds in raisins also impact the growth of bacteria connected with gum diseases.
6. Cheese
A study reported that 12- to 15-year-olds that consumed cheddar cheese had reduced acid levels in their mouths than those who consumed sugar-free yogurt or consumed a glass of milk.
7. Tea
Compounds called polyphenols, discovered in black and green teas, reduce the development of microorganisms connected with cavities and gum disease. Rinse your mouths with black tea for one minute, ten times a day, for significantly less plaque accumulation.
