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Best Foods to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

In the past, we’ve spent a great deal of time discussing all of the bad habits, foods, and beverages that are notoriously destructive when it comes to the overall health and appearance of your teeth and gums. However, did you know that there are certain foods and beverages that actively promote healthy teeth and gums in ways you may have never considered? Aside from providing essential nutrients that can help strengthen the internal and external structure and functionality of your teeth and gums, many of these foods also possess certain textural features that are beneficial to keeping your teeth and gums sufficiently clean and healthy for a very long time. Keep reading to discover which foods are essential to your oral health and how they can help improve the cleanliness of your teeth and gums.

foods for healthy teeth

Foods and Beverages That Can Help You Maintain Good Oral Health

The following is an extensive list of foods and beverages that help to promote healthy, clean, and attractive teeth and gums in a variety of ways.

Nuts

Many types of nuts such as almonds, peanuts, and hazelnuts are an excellent source of calcium, dietary fiber, protein, antioxidants, and a host of other nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. All of these factors are essential to maintaining strong and healthy bone structure. Nevertheless, nuts are also high in fats—albeit good fats—so you should be extremely cautious of portion control when it comes to adding them to your diet. One factor that many people fail to consider, though, is that the crunchy texture of most raw nuts can also help cleanse your teeth when eaten in between meals.

Meat

Different types of meat are highly beneficial to your oral health because they’re chock-full of protein, phosphorous, and amino acids that support the development of teeth and bones. The chewy texture of certain types of meat helps to promote additional saliva production and this, in turn, prevents dry mouth from occurring. Severe dry mouth can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that cause tooth infection, so it’s important to eat foods that keep it at bay as much as possible.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Your mother wasn’t wrong when she told you that eating your veggies would help you become strong when you got older. Why do you think Popeye loved eating spinach so much? Leafy green vegetables like kale, brussel sprouts, lettuce, and broccoli are all essential sources of vitamins and nutrients such as folic acids, calcium, as well as vitamins A, B, and C. All of these components play instrumental roles in maintaining your oral health.

Crunchy Veggies

Carrots, celery, and cucumbers have three things in common: they all start with the letter C; they’re all incredibly good for you; and they’re all crunchy. Believe it or not, when it comes to your teeth, the crunchy texture of these delicious veggies is an important factor because the more you chew or bite down when you eat them, the more saliva your mouth produces. Not only does increased saliva production hydrate your mouth and protect it against potentially dangerous bacteria, but the hard texture of these foods also acts as a pseudo cleansing mechanism for your teeth by gently scrubbing them as you chew.

Also Read: Why Is Good Dental Care Important for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients?

Whole Grains

Oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, whole grain pasta, and bran all contain B vitamins, magnesium, and iron. These vitamins and nutrients promote and support healthy bone structure, which is essential to protecting your teeth from succumbing to harmful bacteria and infection.

Onions

Raw onions contain a great deal of antibacterial properties that can ward off dangerous bacteria and prevent plaque from forming between your teeth. Whether you enjoy yellow, white, or purple onions, they all have plenty of oral health benefits that can help you maintain the cleanliness of your teeth and gums.

Cheese and Yogurt

The smellier the cheese, the better! Crumbly and hard cheeses like cheddar have the ability to raise the pH levels in your mouth and this lack of acidity helps to stimulate greater saliva production which maintains cleanliness on the surface of your teeth and gums. Cheese, along with plain and unsweetened yogurt, is one of those dairy products that is jam-packed with calcium, which is known for promoting stability and structure in your bones and teeth. On top of that, most yogurts are fortified with vitamins and probiotics that prevent cavities and combat gum disease.

Water

Water is on this list for obvious reasons. It keeps you hydrated, which essentially aids in stimulating saliva production and retains moisture throughout your entire body to help keep your organs functioning properly. Swishing a sip of water around in your mouth during or after a meal can also help to actively remove and clear away tiny food particles that may get stuck in your gum pockets or the spaces between your teeth until you’re able to brush or floss. Another added benefit is that most regions in North America fortify their water supply with trace amounts of fluoride. As an important mineral, fluoride helps to prevent decalcification and also cleanses the surface of your teeth while also promoting stronger enamel.

Apples

Apples are a bit of a controversial fruit in the dental industry because on the one hand, they’re packed with a lot of natural sugar which can be harmful to your teeth if consumed excessively. On the other hand, apples are also an excellent source of fiber and antioxidants which can help stave off harmful bacteria that can lead to gingivitis, tooth decay, and other dental issues.

Sugarless Chewing Gum

Believe it or not, chewing gum can actually be beneficial for your oral health as long as it’s sugarless and even better if it contains xylitol. The simple act of chewing gum promotes proficient saliva production to keep your mouth sufficiently hydrated. So, if you’re one of those people who suffer from severe dry mouth in the morning after eight hours of sleeping and not drinking water, then you might benefit from chewing some sugarless gum in the morning. Another added benefit is that sugarless gum also cleanses the surface of your teeth as you chew, but that doesn’t mean it should replace your normal brushing and flossing routine.

Over the past 30 years, Princeview Dental Group has been located in the Kingsway area as a dental clinic in West Toronto and the GTA. We perform a wide range of dental procedures and treating numerous oral health issues, whether you need a routine cleaning or a root canal. To schedule an appointment, please contact us.

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