Brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups are all essential to optimum dental hygiene. However, there are foods you should avoid as well to keep your teeth in great condition for years to come. What you eat affects your dental health, which is something you should consider when making diet choices. Here are the best foods for keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
 
Ginger
 
Ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory, which keeps tissue in your mouth healthy. Add it to a stir-fry or marinade for great flavour and oral health. Raw ginger can remove plaque from your teeth so it’s a great food to add to your diet.
 
Apple
 
Even though fruits are acidic which can break down the tooth enamel, apples are great for crunching on. When you chomp on an apple the action promotes the cleaning of plaque from your teeth. The saliva produced by eating an apple also removes stains from your teeth over time. Other fruits such as pear and guava also have the same effect. To ensure the acidity doesn’t affect the teeth make sure you clean them thoroughly afterwards.
 
Dairy
 
Milk, yoghurt and cheese are rich in calcium, which promotes healthy teeth and bones. They also contain a protein, which works to reduce the acid levels in your mouth. This is beneficial for the enamel on your teeth as acid can break it down causing teeth and gum sensitivity. Dairy foods help protect your teeth and gums from these conditions and can easily be added to your daily food intake. If you’re not a fan of dairy you can drink calcium-fortified juices or add powdered milk to your cooking.
 
Leafy Greens
 
Leafy greens have a number of health benefits including keeping your mouth clean. They are packed with fibre, which requires lots of chewing to break it down. This extra chewing produces saliva, which neutralises bacteria. They are also a source of calcium, which along with dairy is great for teeth and bones. Add a salad to your meal or chew on some celery for a snack to get more greens into your diet to promote oral health.
 
Raw Onion
 
Raw onions have a strong and intense flavour, which has given them a bad reputation for causing bad breath. However, they can kill a number of bacteria in your mouth so it’s a good idea to chew on them. Whilst it may not seem too appealing to peel and chew on a raw onion, you could add them to salads or burgers to make the most of their oral hygiene benefits.
 
Good dental hygiene is important to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. However, there are certain foods you can eat to improve on this. Add ginger, apple, dairy, leafy greens and raw onion to your diet to promote dental health. They have many benefits including plaque removal, stain removal, acid level reduction as well as bacteria neutralisation and eliminating. Eat these foods along with regular oral care to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
 

Dr Paulo Pinho at Widsom Teeth Professionals Sydney has extensive training in oral surgery, including the removal of wisdom teeth. Dr Pinho also has developed a great protocol to prevent and treat dry sockets. To learn more, call Dr Paulo Pinho at Wisdom Teeth Professionals in Sydney on 1300 217 858.

The information contained in this article is intended to give you general information and it is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

Having your wisdom teeth removed comes with a painful recovery process. You have to rest, in order to recover. Here are 7 fun activities you might like to try after your wisdom teeth have been removed to keep you occupied whilst resting.
 
Eat Ice Cream
 
Having your wisdom teeth removed is the perfect excuse to eat ice cream. It’s cold which helps a little with the pain, you don’t have to chew and it’s delicious. Jelly is also a great cold treat which is easy to eat when you’ve had this procedure done.
 
Pamper Time
 
You have to give yourself time to recover so you might as well pamper yourself. If you don’t want to venture out to a day spa, stay at home and have a bath. Use a foot spa and pop on a face mask. Use the time to indulge and relax.
 
Take It Easy
 
Don’t engage in any strenuous activities or sport. Take the time to rest in bed or on the couch. Get some movies out and don’t plan on doing anything else. Having your wisdom teeth removed is a perfect reason to really take it easy, so make the most of it.
 
Get Chauffeured Around
 
You won’t be able to drive so ask a relative or friend to take care of you. Have them drive you around and enjoy the ride. Recovering from a wisdom tooth extraction is a time to be kind to yourself. Make sure there is someone to bring you home and take you to the chemist for any medications you may require.
 
Learn Another Language
 
There’s not a lot you can do when you’re recovering from having your wisdom teeth removed. Learn another language to keep you occupied and distract you from the pain. There are apps you can download on your phone so that you don’t have to venture far from the couch.
 
Gaming
 
Get some quality gaming time in. Whether it’s Xbox, Playstation, Wii, Nintendo or others it’s hard to find time in everyday life. Use the opportunity to catch up on some gaming time.
 
Adult Colouring Books
 
Colouring books aren’t just for children and are gaining popularity amongst adults. They are said to be very relaxing and can help distract you if you’re getting bored and still in pain.
 
There are many options available to help you with your resting and recovery. Indulging in ice cream and pampering can help pass the time. Watching movies, learning a language, colouring or playing video games are all great distractions. If you’ve got someone to look after you enjoy being driven around as you won’t be able to.
 

Dr Paulo Pinho at Widsom Teeth Professionals Sydney has extensive training in oral surgery, including the removal of wisdom teeth. Dr Pinho also has developed a great protocol to prevent and treat dry sockets. To learn more, call Dr Paulo Pinho at Wisdom Teeth Professionals in Sydney on 1300 217 858.
   
The information contained in this article is intended to give you general information and it is not intended to replace professional medical advice.