Proper oral care is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. However, it is important to understand that tooth brushing and flossing are not enough. Foods and drinks you consume also have a great impact on the condition of your oral cavity. In this article, we have gathered the nine most beneficial foods and drinks for your oral health.
1. Cheese and other dairy products
Milk, cheese, plain yogurt, and other dairy products that don’t contain sweeteners are extremely beneficial to your oral health. They contain calcium that provides teeth strength and health.
Hard cheese can prevent the development of tooth decay since it increases the calcium concentration in the tooth and salivation. Saliva contains components that prevent the development of cavities and gum inflammation.
2. Nuts
Nuts contain a lot of vitamins and amino acids that beneficially affect not only the health of the oral cavity but on your overall health as well. Many nuts have antibacterial properties that can help prevent tooth decay. Additionally, most nuts are quite solid and can remove dental plaque and stains from the surface of your teeth. However, you should be quite careful while eating nuts especially if you improve your teeth shape or have other dental restorations.
3. Plain water
If you drink an insufficient amount of water, your salivation decreases and you may even get dehydration. Mouth dryness contributes to bad breath, cavities, and other unpleasant complications. When you drink plain water, you remove food debris, dental plaque, and bacteria from your mouth. Proper water consumption can increase the salivation as well.
4. Fatty fish
Fatty fish is beneficial to your overall health since it contains a lot of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for preventing the destruction of tooth enamel. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium, which is necessary to strengthen the tooth enamel. Its deficiency can lead to the weakening of the enamel.
Fatty fish is also rich in omega 3 fatty acids that help maintain gum health and reduce the symptoms of periodontitis. If your gums are bleeding while tooth brushing or eating, try increasing your omega 3 fatty acids intake.
5. Oranges
Even though the excessive consumption of acid can contribute to tooth enamel thinning, oranges are beneficial to your oral health. Oranges contain a significant amount of vitamin C that has a lot of benefits. If you experience gum bleeding, you can try to eat more oranges to strengthen your gums but you should always rinse your mouth after their consumption.
6. Crunchy vegetables and fruits
Your gums tend to be weak since most people tend to eat soft foods. As a result, your gums don’t “exercise” and may even lose their shape. Eating crunchy vegetables and fruits increase the blood circulation in your gums. That’s why your gums become stronger. Additionally, crunchy vegetables and fruits help clear your teeth from staining and food particles.
7. Green tea
Tea contains an antioxidant called catechin that has antibacterial properties. It reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth. Regular consumption of tea can prevent the development of tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease. However, you should know that black tea has pigments (tannins) that can stain your teeth significantly. That’s why it is better to drink green tea that has a smaller containment of tannins.
8. Spinach
Spinach contains a lot of chlorophyll pigments that help reduce the number of harmful bacteria in your mouth, freshen your breath, and neutralize excess acids. Additionally, spinach helps reduce the demineralization of tooth enamel. It covers your teeth with a protective film that prevents discoloration and fights the causes of bad breath.
9. Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds are a great source of calcium that is extremely important for healthy teeth and bones. The main advantage of sesame seed is that they have a thick shell and calcium can be absorbed after it is milled. That’s why it's better to include sesame seeds into your diet. You can use it as an additive to salads, buns, and other dishes.
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