Dentists and Healthy Food for Your Teeth

Feb 15
14:32

2011

Anna Woodward

Anna Woodward

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Dentists can help you to improve and maintain your oral health but what you eat makes a lot of difference as well. Most people know what is not good for their teeth but do not know what they should be eating for healthy teeth. We look at that here.

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Dentists do their part in helping you to have healthy teeth and gums but you have to do your part at home as well. The foods we eat play a role in whether our teeth are healthy or not. You are probably well aware that foods that are full of sugar are bad for your teeth but are you aware that there are foods that are healthy for your teeth? Impress your dentist upon your next visit with your knowledge of healthy nutritional choices for your teeth. Here we look at some of those. Read on.

Water is Mother Nature’s Cocktail and it is very good for the mouth because it cleans out the mouth,Dentists and Healthy Food for Your Teeth Articles helps to wash away food particles and keeps the gums well hydrated. It also works with saliva to make sure that the essential minerals required by the teeth end up in the right place. Water also works with saliva to help to prevent bad breath.

Green tea is another oral health favorite! Green tea is composed of antioxidant plant compounds known as polyphenols that do their valiant best to prevent plaque from sticking to the surface of the teeth. This in turn helps to reduce the potential for cavities to develop as well as diseases that affect the gums. Another good aspect of green tea that your dentist may not have told you is that many brands of green tea have fluoride in them which promotes the good health of your teeth and keeps the enamel strong and more resilient to decay. The leaves of the tea coupled with the water it is steeped in account for the fluoride that can do wonders for your oral health.

If you have ever heard that it is good to eat cheese at the end of a meal because it kills bacteria then you have found yet another food that promotes healthy teeth and gums. Cheese is a low carbohydrate source that is high in the minerals calcium and phosphate. Put together all of these things are essential for a healthy mouth. Cheese kills the bacteria that are responsible for cavities and gum disease, it produces saliva and it helps to balance the pH levels in the mouth. It also preserves tooth enamel and helps to rebuild it if it has started to wear down.

Apples stimulate the gums and produce saliva which is good for your mouth. They are also full of vitamin C which is a building block for healthy gum tissue. Strawberries and citrus fruits such as kiwis are also rich in vitamin C. If your body lacks vitamin C then the collagen in your gums will eventually break down and cause the gums to become tender and sore and will make it easier for bacteria to start causing dental disasters to occur.

Vitamin A is required to build strong tooth enamel. Vegetables are excellent sources of this vitamin. Choose broccoli, carrots, pumpkin and sweet potatoes. Not only that but crunchy vegetable produce saliva and massage and cleanse the gums which contributes to better oral health.

Ask dentists what other foods you can consume on a regular basis to keep your mouth its healthiest. The more nutritious your daily diet is, the better condition will your teeth and gums be in!