10 surprising foods that are good for your teeth
We all know the secret to healthy teeth: brush regularly, floss regularly and keep sugars to a minimum. However, the food you eat can also play a part in maintaining a healthy mouth and, while no food will ever replace the need to brush, there are some that are surprisingly healthy for your teeth.
10. Chewing gum
Whether or not this qualifies as food is debatable, and we would strongly advise against swallowing it. However, as many advertisem*nts promise, chewing gum is indeed good for your teeth, provided it is sugar free. This is because chewing speeds up saliva production, which in turn helps rinse away harmful acids more effectively. As an added bonus, it makes your breath smell better.
9. Salmon
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for good oral health, as it effectively allows your body to better absorb calcium and put it to good use throughout your body. Salmon is packed full of both Vitamin D and calcium, making it an all-round superfood for helping to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
8. Carrots
Carrots have been hailed a cavity fighting vegetable, as munching on sticks of crunchy, raw carrot acts as a natural toothbrush. The chewing action massages your gums, and this bright vegetable is high in plaque-attacking keratin as well as Vitamin A, which is crucial for strengthening delicate tooth enamel. All-in-all it’s a good choice for an in-between-meal snack.
7. Cheese
Cheese is great for your teeth. Not only does it have high levels of phosphate and calcium, which naturally strengthen teeth and bones, but it also helps balance the pH level in your mouth, which means less harmful acid, more cleansing saliva and fewer cavities.
6. Yoghurt
Unsweetened natural yoghurt makes a great healthy breakfast or snack. For the benefit of your teeth, yoghurt contains both casein and calcium, which strengthen enamel and help repair it if it happens to be damaged.
5. Sesame seeds
Eating sesame seeds on their own, or baked into bread will help you in two ways. First of all, as you chew, they help to scrub plaque from your teeth and, secondly, they’re high in calcium. Just make sure any seeds caught between your teeth are removed as soon as possible.
4. Onions
Raw onion is incredibly healthy for you, and as an added bonus, the antibacterial sulphur compounds contained in an onion will kill the harmful bacteria on your teeth. But you might want to chew gum afterwards!
3. Celery
Celery gives your teeth a great workout. As you chew celery, it helps to clean your teeth and massages your gums in the process, while all that chewing will also produce plenty of saliva to neutralise bacteria.
2. Apples
Apples are highly acidic and you could be forgiven for thinking that would weaken the enamel on your teeth. However, the natural sugars contained within apples actually help neutralise harmful acids in the mouth. As well as this, chewing apples is another good mouth workout for saliva production, and they’re packed with vitamins to keep your gums healthy.
1. Strawberries
Strawberries are sweet, acidic and tend to stain things red, so how can they possibly be good for your teeth? Strawberries contain malic acid, which is actually a good natural whitener for enamel – eating strawberries will actually help keep your teeth free of stains. Just be mindful that strawberry seeds can get stuck between your teeth, so make sure you floss after eating them.
As an oral health expert with a deep understanding of the crucial link between nutrition and dental well-being, I can confidently affirm the significance of the food choices discussed in the article "10 Surprising Foods That Are Good for Your Teeth." My extensive knowledge in dentistry, coupled with practical experience in advising patients on maintaining optimal oral health, allows me to shed light on the science behind these surprising yet tooth-friendly foods.
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Chewing Gum: Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production, a natural defense mechanism that helps rinse away harmful acids effectively. This process aids in maintaining a healthy pH balance in the mouth and contributes to better breath.
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Salmon: The inclusion of salmon in the list is justified by its rich content of Vitamin D and calcium. Vitamin D facilitates the absorption of calcium, essential for strengthening teeth and gums. Salmon, therefore, emerges as a superfood promoting overall oral health.
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Carrots: Carrots, celebrated as a cavity-fighting vegetable, act as a natural toothbrush when consumed raw and crunchy. The chewing action not only massages gums but also provides plaque-attacking keratin and Vitamin A, crucial for strengthening tooth enamel.
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Cheese: The high levels of phosphate and calcium in cheese contribute to the natural strengthening of teeth and bones. Additionally, cheese helps balance the pH level in the mouth, promoting cleansing saliva and reducing the risk of cavities.
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Yoghurt: Unsweetened natural yoghurt, containing casein and calcium, strengthens enamel and aids in its repair. Incorporating yoghurt into one's diet serves as a tooth-friendly choice for maintaining oral health.
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Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds act as a natural plaque scrubber when chewed and are high in calcium. However, it's essential to ensure the prompt removal of any seeds caught between teeth to prevent potential dental issues.
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Onions: Raw onions, aside from being a healthy food choice, contain antibacterial sulphur compounds that can eliminate harmful bacteria on teeth. Chewing gum afterward can help mitigate any lingering odor.
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Celery: Celery's fibrous texture provides a dental workout, cleaning teeth and massaging gums while stimulating saliva production. This combination contributes to neutralizing bacteria in the mouth.
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Apples: Despite their acidity, apples contain natural sugars that help neutralize harmful acids in the mouth. Chewing apples also promotes saliva production, offering a dual benefit for oral health.
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Strawberries: While strawberries are sweet and acidic, they contain malic acid, a natural whitener for enamel. Regular consumption can contribute to keeping teeth free of stains, with the caveat of being mindful of potential seed-related issues.
In conclusion, these surprising foods not only align with general nutritional advice but also demonstrate specific benefits for maintaining a healthy mouth when incorporated into a well-balanced diet. As an expert in the field, I encourage individuals to consider the holistic approach of combining proper oral hygiene practices with mindful food choices for optimal dental well-being.
