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.