Your oral cavity is a sensitive part of your body, and what you put in there can impact your oral health. Some foods cause tooth decay, while others fight mouth bacteria. Admittedly, the American diet comprises several processed foods that can affect teeth and gum health. Already, 70% of most packaged foods in the country are ultra-processed. Ultra-processed means it contains high quantities of saturated fats, additives, and salt. Plus, the high sugar content is unhealthy for the teeth. Therefore, it’s your responsibility to determine your food choices based on how they affect your oral health.
Foods to Help Maintain Your Oral Health
1. Fiber-Rich Fruits
Fruits like bananas, apples, pear, oranges, and those from the berry family contain up to four grams of fiber. Meanwhile, guava has a whopping nine grams in a single fruit. More importantly, fiber-rich fruits contain high quantities of Vitamin C, making them natural plaque fighters. According to studies, biting into fiber-rich foods provides an opportunity to massage the gums, increasing blood circulation.
Additionally, these fruits contain enzymes that stimulate salivation. Stimulation leads to the neutralization of bacterial acids in the mouth. Do you know that saliva has calcium and phosphate traces? According to research, these mineral traces tend to increase automatically after eating fiber-rich fruits. That is good news for your oral cavity. However, if you’re not sure about the health of your mouth and teeth, dental experts such as those found at Sunrise Dental Studio can be of help.
2. Leafy Green Vegetables
Also known as leafy greens, these are vegetables with natural prebiotics that healthy oral flora feeds on. While providing support for beneficial bacteria in your mouth, leafy vegetables contribute to the production of the nitrate-reducing oral microbiome. Darker leafy vegetables like broccoli, spinach, collard greens, and kale are better options if you desire a healthier mouth.
The darker green it is, the more riboflavin, magnesium, potassium, and folic acid it will contain. Although other leafy greens such as arugula, chard, some cabbage types, etc., may not necessarily have a darker green color, they play significant roles in ensuring a healthy oral cavity.
3. Fiber-Fed Dairy and Dairy Products
The concentration on fiber-fed dairy supports America’s move to rely only on cattle fed on healthy amounts of roughage. This is necessary to enhance ruminants’ digestion and bowel movements. So you can be assured that dairy from these fiber-fed cattle has high amounts of healthy trace minerals, calcium, and proteins and are safe for human consumption.
Therefore, cheese, plain yogurt, milk, etc., are excellent for oral health. More importantly, they replenish your tooth enamel with minerals it may have lost from years of chewing and old age. Again, these foods improve saliva production, which is healthy for washing away toxic (from unhealthy foods) residue in the mouth.
4. Fatty Fish
Do not be appalled by the description of this food source. In very healthy amounts, it will not add to your weight or increase blood cholesterol. Meanwhile, a lesser-known fact about fatty fish is the high concentration of Vitamin D. This nutrient keeps the teeth and bones strong. Even better, it helps to keep tooth decay at bay. Additionally, Vitamin D binds with other healthy trace minerals to supply calcium to the teeth. For all its benefits, fatty fish can be a regular feature at the dinner table.
Maintain Your Oral Health
Maintaining your oral health should be a priority. While brushing after each meal and using strengthening or whitening products can help, your diet can, too. How important is your oral health to you? Leave a comment and let us know if you’d be willing to change your diet to improve your oral health!
