Dentists Can’t Eat For You

Many people consider dentists as being largely responsible for maintaining the health of your teeth. In reality though, no one is more responsible for that than you are.

Dental professionals do play a major role in helping you keep your teeth clean and healthy, which is why it is vitally important to maintain a schedule of two cleanings per year. These visits allow dentists to clean your teeth using specially designed tools as well as examine and study them using visual methods and various tests such as x-rays. In the end, however, these visits accomplish little for those who don’t remain dedicated to oral hygiene at home.

For every individual, good oral hygiene is a daily process that you must remain committed to. Brushing and flossing correctly and on a daily basis are the pillars of this undertaking and are the most commonly recognized means of doing so, but taking a step back and considering what you eat can be equally important.

As many dentists can tell you, various foods contain ingredients that can be beneficial to your oral health. Some of them can be more helpful than others, but all can be considered good steps towards bettering the health of your mouth.

Green tea contains antioxidant plant compounds that help reduce plaque and other causes of cavities and gum disease. It also contains fluoride that works to strengthen teeth.

Dairy products such as milk and yogurt contain calcium, which helps mightily to strengthen the tooth and underlying bone. They also have a low acid content and contain less sugar than many other foods, which make them far less harmful to the tooth than other foods. Cheese also contains calcium as well as phosphate, which helps kill bacteria and balance pH levels in the mouth while also rebuilding enamel.

Fruits such as strawberries and apples contain Vitamin C, which is necessary to hold human cells together. Without sufficient Vitamin C, gum cells can potentially break down and leave the mouth open to diseases and infections.

Vegetables such as carrots, broccoli and others contain Vitamin A, which is prominent in the building of tooth enamel. Without sufficient Vitamin A, teeth can become weaker and more susceptible to cracks and cavities.

Other crunchy foods, including vegetables, also benefit the mouth by loosening up and helping to remove particles that may have become lodged in various crevices. Likewise, water and other clear liquids also benefit the individual in this way as a means of helping to clean the mouth.

There are many additional types of foods that can be very beneficial to your overall oral hygiene. While dentists can’t help you find them or eat them, they can give you further insight into what you can be looking for to be able to do both on your own.