5 of the Best Foods for Good Oral Health
Everyone always tells you what not to eat. When it comes to maintaining good oral health, this is especially true. Don’t eat candy, no sugary soda, and so on. Few people tell you what food actually helps your oral health. Some of the things that are good for your teeth or why they’re good for your teeth may surprise you.
5 to Eat
- Cacao – Chocolate actually provides a plethora of health benefits but because of our incessant need to load everything with sugar those sugars overtake any benefits. Various studies have found that the polyphenols in cacao kill cavity-causing bacteria and create a barrier between teeth and plaque. One method of this research was to use a cocoa bean mouth rinse. Not only did it kill harmful bacteria but it didn’t kill beneficial bacteria. Cacao nibs and dark chocolate with little to no sugar are good, who knew.
- Grass-fed dairy – It should come as no surprise that high-calcium dairy is good for your teeth. Years of advertising has taught us the benefits of calcium for teeth and strong bones. Grass-fed products are even more beneficial.
Humans can’t convert vitamin K1 to K2 so we rely on our food to provide this vitamin for us. The enzyme in animals responsible for this conversion is activated by chlorophyll so it’s important these animals eat grass so that we can keep from being vitamin K2 deficient.
- Fatty fish – Vitamin D is a key reason fatty fish are so important to oral health. Vitamin D works with vitamins A and K2 to successfully deliver calcium to teeth and strengthen enamel. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids present in fatty fish benefit gum health and prevent inflammation and symptoms of periodontitis.
- Leafy greens – Dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, swiss chard, and arugula are high in the minerals your teeth use during remineralization. These same leafy greens are also beneficial prebiotics that encourage the growth of healthy oral bacteria.
- Crunchy vegetables – Veggies like carrots and celery stimulate saliva and scrub away at the plaque on teeth. Celery is especially important as it’s fibrous texture makes for a highly effective tooth cleaner.
Call Dr. Pollock!
Eating the right foods can be tough but incorporating some of these things into your daily diet can have numerous health benefits for your teeth and gums. Eating more celery and fatty fish may even save you a trip to the oral surgeon down the road. If you do need reliable expert dental care call (469)264-8921 to schedule an appointment.
