It may come as a surprise that along with the usual smart choices of fresh fruits and vegetables, there are certain foods that work to promote dental health. For example:
Cheese
This calcium rich food is great for your teeth because it has the ability to fight acids from other foods that can erode tooth enamel. Did you know that eating bread, crackers, sweets, citrus fruits and soda exposes your teeth to acids that can lead to tooth decay? Having cheese for dessert or at the end of a meal serves to counteract the acidic residue left by certain foods. Try to enjoy your bite of cheese by itself or with a slice of apple or pear, because having it on some crackers, such as saltines, will sabotage your efforts.
Xylitol
This relatively new sweetener has received a lot of attention in the last 10 to 15 years thanks to its ability to prevent tooth decay. Many parents are often shocked when their family dentists suggest giving chewing gum with xylitol to their kids. It works by increasing the production of saliva, which wards off tooth decay and fights bad breath.
Wild Salmon
It is quite common for many adults to suffer from a vitamin D deficiency. Aside from dairy products and a little sunshine, wild salmon is a great source of this powerful nutrient. In spite of other dietary sources and multi-vitamins, it’s a good idea to consume some types of fatty fish because when you are lacking in vitamin D, your body is unable to absorb the calcium it requires to maintain bone health. Plus, fish is an excellent source of lean protein! If you are not a fish fan, instead take a vitamin D supplement of 5000 IU daily.
Oranges
Yes they do contain those culprits you’ve been warned about-sugar and acid! Oranges also contain vitamin C, which works to slow down the progression of gum disease by reducing inflammation, strengthening blood vessels and connective tissue. To counteract the sugar and acid, just wait half an hour after eating an orange and have a glass of plain sparkling water. If possible, follow that with brushing and rinsing.
Green and Black Tea
Huh? Yes…both of these types of tea contain polyphenols which attack or suppress the bacteria in your mouth that causes plaque. The tea washes over your mouth and gums and hampers the bacteria that feeds on the sugars in your mouth. It is a wonderful practice to end a meal with a comforting cup of green or black tea as long as you don’t add sugar. The polyphenols found
in tea also have cavity-fighting properties. Tea also contains a small amount of fluoride, but not enough to give up your fluoridated toothpaste!
Chocolate
It may be hard to believe that this anti-oxidant rich superfood also boosts dental health, but it’s true! However, not all chocolate is recommended, only that which is at least 70% cacao. A compound that’s been identified as CBH has been found to actually harden tooth enamel, which in turn makes teeth less vulnerable to tooth decay! So as crazy as it may sound, snacking on an ounce of dark chocolate each day can prevent cavities.
Collectively, fresh fruits and vegetables may not exactly be labeled “superfoods," although many of them are. It’s a fact that a diet heavy with fruits and veggies is the key to improving one’s overall health. The more raw fruits and vegetables you consume, the better. That is because in addition to being loaded with vitamins and minerals as well as being unprocessed, many, such as apples, carrots and celery, can work to clean the teeth!
Also, water should be made the beverage of choice. It is not a superfood either, but the health benefits gained by opting for water instead of sugary, acidic drinks full of artificial ingredients is immeasurable!
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