Foods to Eat To Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy
When it comes to keeping our gums and teeth healthy, daily brushing and flossing are not enough because what we eat also contributes to oral health. Apart from limiting acidic and sugary foods from our diet, certain foods are best for our gums and teeth.
Eating foods from all food groups that are rich in nutrients promotes healthy gums and teeth. It is advisable to follow a balanced diet that includes proteins, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and calcium-rich foods. Below are several foods that you can incorporate into your diet to improve the health of your teeth and gums.
- Ginger root – This is a healing herb that has anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger promotes healthy tissue in the mouth, and this is good for oral health.
- Dairy products – Dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, and milk because they are rich in calcium and protein. Consuming them reduces acidity in the mouth, and therefore bacteria and plaque cannot grow in the mouth. If you are not able to drink milk, you can have a piece of cheese instead.
- Apples and carrots – Eating these fruits and vegetables is beneficial because all that munching sparks a cleaning action that will shake up the plague clinging to teeth and gums. As you chew apples and carrots, you also produce a lot of saliva that reduces the risk of getting cavities. These two foods are also rich in fiber, which goes a long way in enhancing the general health of the body.
- Leafy greens – They are a healthy punch for your body, and they also keep the mouth clean because of their fiber-rich content. Foods that are high in fiber help to keep the mouth free of bacteria. When chewing on these foods, a lot of saliva is produced, and it cleans out any bacteria in the mouth. Foods that offer this benefit include celery and spinach.
- Raw onion – Eating raw onions is a plus for good oral health as it helps fight bacteria in the mouth. Although you may have bad breath after eating a raw onion, you can rinse your mouth with mouthwash to dispel it. Onions also kill bacteria because they have an antimicrobial ingredient. They kill bacteria that cause gum disease, and you can opt to toss the onions in your salads.
You can enhance your oral health by eating a proper diet rich in every nutrient and by visiting a dentist regularly. If you have crooked teeth or discolored teeth, seeing a dentist helps because he or she can rectify your dental problems by using different procedures or cosmetic solutions. One of the popular cosmetic solutions is veneers. These are sculptured coatings bonded to the front of the teeth. You can read more about veneers here to know if they are the right solution for your dental problems. A significant benefit of veneers is that they are an excellent solution for people with crooked, chipped, misaligned, irregularly shaped, or discolored teeth. They are lasting dental treatment, and it is not possible to alter their color or improve it once the dentist applies them. However, they cannot solve some issues like bone loss or missing teeth.
To have good oral health, you need to eat nutritious foods such as ginger, dairy, onions, and leafy vegetables. Also, always brush or rinse your mouth with mouthwash and water to remove food particles to keep cavities away. Do not forget to visit your dentist regularly because this professional can perform the necessary procedures to not only keep your gums and teeth healthy but also attractive.