The overall health and wellbeing of your oral cavity significantly depend on eating right. Great reactions take place in your mouth when you regularly eat excessive amounts of sugary foods such as candy or even soda. In this scenario, the bacteria in your oral cavity will proceed to convert carbohydrates and sugar into acids. These sorts of acids, in turn, attack the tooth enamel and eventually fast-track the decay process. As such, tooth decay is usually the very first dental health issue you will face if your regular eating habits aren’t appropriate. Well then, here is a review of top 10 foods, which can enable you to maintain sound oral health.

1. Cheese

The regular consumption of cheese will raise the pH levels of your mouth. This can substantially minimize the risk of dental caries (tooth decay). The chewing action in eating cheese elevates saliva levels in the oral cavity too. As most competent dentists would have it, this is the first line of defence from bacteria. Cheese is also very rich in calcium together with protein that fortifies tooth enamel.

2. Green leafy vegetables

Vegetables like spinach or even kale are essential for maintaining excellent dental health. These green leafy vegetables are loaded with calcium, which is needed for the development of strong and healthy tooth enamel. They are also rich in B complex vitamins, and in particular folic acid. This vitamin has been shown to treat gum disease in pregnant women.

3. Celery

Granted, celery is mostly a rather bland vegetable. Still, consuming it on a regular basis can be very good for your oral health. Celery is abrasive and can serve as a ‘toothbrush’ that scraps of food particles as well as the bacteria, which are stuck in-between teeth. In the case of bacteria, the saliva you produce while consuming this vegetable will neutralize streptococcus mutans. This is simply the bacteria that causes cavities. Celery is loaded with vitamin A and C as well. These 2 potent antioxidants go to work by boosting the overall health of gums.

4. Apples

As a rule, you should always make it a point to avoid sweet foods, but fruits such as apples that are rich in fibre and water are an exception. Fiber and water are very necessary for excellent dental health. Chewing an apple will produce a lot of salivae. In turn, this saliva can rinse off food particles stuck in-between the teeth. Also, the fibrous nature of these fruits can prove to be extremely useful in effectively stimulating the gums.

5. Tea

The black and green varieties of tea come packed with compounds referred to as polyphenols. Polyphenols ensure optimal dental health by their capability of inhibiting the growth of the bacteria, which triggers cavities and periodontal disease. When it comes to green tea, it possesses other compounds known as catechins too that can exterminate the bacteria, which causes plaque buildup. The continued accumulation of plaque results in dental caries.

6. Onion

Onions have powerful anti-bacterial sulfur compounds that are good for your dental health. They are especially effective when consumed raw.

7. Yoghurt

Yoghurt is very rich in calcium along with protein. This means it can effectively fortify tooth enamel. At the same time, the probiotics in it are excellent for the maintenance of healthy gums. This is brought about by their uncanny ability to ‘crowd off’ the cavities-causing bacteria. However, only go for plain yoghurt, which doesn’t contain any sugar additives.

8. Kiwi

Kiwi has the distinction of being the fruit that possesses the highest levels of vitamin C. A sharp deficiency of this essential antioxidant causes the gum collagen to break down. Ultimately, the gums will get tender, and much more susceptible to the bacteria that trigger gum disease.

9. Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes come loaded with vitamin A, which plays a crucial role in the healthy development of tooth enamel. Sweet potatoes are necessary when it comes to the proper healing of gum tissue as well.

10. Meats

Meats including chicken are rich in calcium and phosphorous that play a big part in ‘re-mineralizing’ of the teeth. If you are in the dark, this is simply a natural process, which involves minerals been deposited on the tooth enamel when they have been eroded by the formation of acids.

Featured Image:  HT Media Limited
Source by Brian John Njenga