Brushing and flossing regularly helps to maintain your oral health by removing sugars and lingering food particles from your teeth that unite with bacteria in the mouth to form plaque. When left on your teeth, plaque produces substances that erode away tooth enamel, creating cavities where bacteria can begin to pool and setting the stage for the development of gum disease.
In recent years, a growing body of evidence suggests that eating certain foods may actually help improve the health of your teeth and gums. Just as heart healthy foods can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, the following foods may actually help improve your oral health.
Tea
Besides being a great and healthy substitute for coffee, black tea has other interesting features. It contains polyphenols, and various studies have shown that three to four cups a day decrease the amount of bacteria found in the mouth. It is not a big deal if you add some sugar, it will still help in fighting tooth decay. Black tea can also help with bad breath issues, as it neutralizes sulfur compounds.
Cheese
Cheese lowers the acid levels in the mouth, thus slowing down the development of bacteria and neutralizing the plaque.
Raisins
Phytochemicals found in raisins have the ability to destroy the bacteria responsible for the development of plaque. Raisins are also good for the gums, because some of the compounds found in it make the reproduction of bacteria responsible for gum diseases harder.
Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables Chewing foods with a high water content helps to not only increase saliva, which works to wash away harmful bacteria, these types of fruits and vegetables also help to scrub away bacteria from your teeth.
Sugarless Gum
Much like eating vegetables, chewing gum helps to increase saliva flow in the mouth. The more saliva, the more plaque and lingering food particles get rinsed following a meal, helping to lower your risk of decay.
For more information on keeping your teeth and gums healthy, call Maple Avenue Family Dentistry today at 401-237-4585.
