Family Dentist Discusses Foods That Promote Good Oral Health

According to dental professionals, the more sugary, starchy foods we consume, the more they feed the plaque-causing bacteria that are present in all of our mouths. This plaque can then harden into tartar, which is the leading cause of tooth decay and gum disease. To prevent plaque and tartar buildup, regular brushing, flossing, and gargling (mouthwash) is imperative. Certain foods can also help improve oral health. Here are a few favorites from your family dentist.

Cheese

Naturally low in sugar and high in calcium, cheese helps strengthen our teeth. It also contains a protein called casein, which may help lower the risk of cavities. More than that, there is compelling evidence that cheese preserves the whiteness of teeth by fortifying the enamel that protects the pearly-white dentin behind it.

Sugar-free gum

When we are not brushing, flossing, or gargling, saliva helps keep our mouths clean. It removes food particles, plaque, and other debris. Chewing gum, as long as it doesn't have sugar in it, stimulates saliva production and helps remove potentially harmful deposits. It is no wonder that the average family dentist recommends chewing sugar-free gum in between meals.

Celery

Once again, chewing anything helps increase the saliva in our mouths, but the foods we choose to chew should not contain sugar, and they should take a long time to chew. Celery meets these requirements. It is also quite fibrous, which means it breaks down into strands that naturally clean our teeth as we chew. We should also mention that celery is one of the few foods that has a negative-calorie effect. In other words, you burn more calories chewing and swallowing it than it contains.

Raw onion

Even if you have a clean mouth, it likely contains hundreds of millions of bacteria at any given time. While not all of them are bad, some attack tooth enamel and cause serious oral issues. Numerous studies have confirmed that raw onions have powerful antibacterial properties. Sure, they may give you bad breath. But a few raw onions on a sandwich or in a salad will also help you control marauding oral bacteria, which may mean fewer trips to your family dentist.

Steak

We're sorry vegetarians, but eating meat does have its benefits. As we mentioned, longer chewing times promote salivation that helps clean our teeth. And few things require more mastication than a big, juicy steak. In fact, chewing steak requires so much effort that it can actually strengthen our jaw muscles and our pearly whites. We should also mention that red meat contains phosphorous, which helps protect tooth enamel and bone.

Cashews

Just like raw onions, cashews contain antimicrobial oils that have been shown to reduce the bad bacteria that leads to tooth decay. Testing has also revealed that the same nut oils may fight the bacteria that causes acne breakouts, making them one of the few family dentist and dermatologist-approved foods.