As well all know, our teeth are good indicators of our health. Our teeth are responsible for aiding digestion as they chew, crush, grind, and cut our food to let our body easily digest the nutrients contained within. The food we eat is important in keeping every part of our body healthy.
Of course, not all the food that we consume can be healthy. In fact, a lot of food such as junk food, processed goods, and other items deemed as “food” can have detrimental effects on the human body. Excess consumption of fast food can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other morbid health conditions.
It only makes sense that we take care of every part of our body, including our teeth. Without our teeth, we’d have to eat every food as a thick, unsavory, unappealing, paste. It’s only important that we take care of our teeth through the food we eat. Here are seven foods that will guarantee you a healthy and strong set of teeth.
Cheese
Cheese is good for the teeth because it has protein and is also a rich source of calcium. Although teeth aren’t made from bone, our teeth contain a relatively good amount of calcium in them. The teeth contain tissue called dentine which calcifies and is covered in enamel.
Cheese also has properties that turn the inside of our mouths more acidic which is strong enough to kill off any bacteria inside, yet weak enough not to cause any damage to our teeth. Since cheese is mostly made from milk, it’s also a good source of Vitamin D which helps our body absorb all that calcium.
Protein
Meats are good for your health, including your teeth. Pork, Beef, Poultry, Seafood, and other meat products coming animals are good sources of protein. Protein helps your body repair damaged tissues including your gums.
Tea
More specifically, black and green tea contain a lot of Polyphenols. Polyphenols are organic chemicals which are known to kill off bacteria and other microorganisms in your mouth that can cause tooth decay.
Not only does tea smell good, but it can also do the same for your mouth! This reason is why people who have healthy and strong teeth prefer tea over carbonated drinks.
Broccoli
Never mind the mess that broccoli leaves behind in your mouth, but this leafy vegetable is rich in folic acid which increases your immune functions. Folate or folic acid also improves the integrity of your mucosa and connective tissues.
Other green leafy vegetables such cabbage, cauliflower, celery, spinach, kale, etc. all have rich sources of folic acid.
Cranberries
Cranberries and other berries such as blueberries contain anthocyanins which prevent bacteria and other pathogens from multiplying in your mouth. Not only do they taste great, but who knew that these small, humble fruits could give you fresh breath and a set of healthy teeth!
Water
Water keeps our body hydrated. Water is also vital in our body producing saliva which prevents bad breath and tooth decay. Not only that, purified and treated water is packed full of minerals which is essential for everyone’s oral health.
One of these minerals is Fluoride. Sound familiar? It’s also found in mouthwash and toothpaste. Fluoride is a chemical compound which prevents decalcification of your teeth, therefore making it stronger. There is also evidence showing that the fluoride in our saliva aids remineralization of our teeth.
Fruits Rich in Vitamin C
Oranges, in particular, have a lot of vitamin c in them. Vitamin C is acidic which means that an acidic environment in your mouth prevents bacterial growth which is responsible for tooth decay and gum disease. However, make sure that you brush your teeth after eating a lot of fruits.
Although the vitamin c is bad for the bacteria in your mouth, too much of it is bad as well because it tends to dissolve the enamel in your teeth. Another purpose that vitamin c has is that it raises your immune level which is necessary for preventing harmful conditions such as gingivitis and halitosis.
Takeaway
Although it’s essential that we take care of our whole body, we also need to focus on the small, key parts such as our teeth. The teeth are critical for the body’s overall function as it’s needed to aid us in digestion. Thoroughly cleaning it after eating is just one of taking care of our teeth.
Eating the right food can also improve the health of our teeth. Just by eating fresh fruits, leafy vegetables, cheese, milk, and even drinking purified water can have a lot of benefits for our teeth. So eat away, enjoy your meals, and don’t forget to brush and floss afterward.