The food we consume has the power to nourish our bodies or make them sick, and the same holds true for our teeth. We all know that sugary foods and beverages are bad for our smiles; but what most people don’t realize is that certain foods and drinks can actually contribute to stronger, healthier teeth. Here are some things you can start incorporating into your diet to keep your pearly whites in great shape.
#1 Apples
While apples and other fruits do contain relatively high levels of sugar, they act to stimulate the flow of saliva and therefore lower the levels of bacteria in the mouth. Plus, the act of biting into a whole apple helps remove plaque from your teeth.
#2 Cheese
Research has shown that eating cheese raises the pH levels in your mouth, making it less acidic and therefore less friendly to the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Cheese also stimulates saliva production, helping flush the bacteria out of your mouth.
#3 Sugar-free gum
While chewing gum that contains sugar won’t do your teeth any good, gum that contains xylitol has been found to prevent cavities. Studies have found that xylitol can reduce the incidence of cavities by up to 60% by killing the bacteria that contributes to tooth decay.
#4 Tea
Drinking unsweetened black or green tea helps prevent cavities by inhibiting bacterial growth and plaque formation in your mouth, giving you another reason to drink tea besides all its other health benefits.
#5 Wine
Besides being something else that helps fight decay-causing bacteria, red wine also contains compounds called proanthocyanidins, which contain antioxidants that are beneficial for your oral health.
Of course, a healthy diet isn’t the only thing that’ll contribute to successful oral care. For your next checkup, contact everyone’s favorite dentist in Las Vegas: BDG! (702) 388-8888
