Chew on This: Foods for Healthy Teeth
By Dr. Tanya Brown and Dr. Matthew Cawley
The Center for Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry
Chesapeake, VA
Are you busy at work or school with no time to brush or floss your teeth? When brushing or flossing isn’t convenient, you can still keep your mouth feeling fresh by eating certain foods.
Dr. Tanya Brown and Dr. Matthew Cawley keep these foods around for snacking as well as good nutrition!
When you’re on the go or in a hurry, try grabbing one of these foods to munch on to help fight plaque and keep your teeth healthy. These are some of our favorites! We hope you enjoy!
Cheese provides several benefits for your teeth, such as preserving and rebuilding your tooth enamel, prevents plaque and balances your mouth’s acidity level. It also helps to produce saliva, which kills the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Dr. Brown likes mozzarella cheese sticks best, while Dr. Cawley like Cheddar cheese sticks!
Tea contains polyphenols, which slows the growth of bacteria associated with tooth decay and gum disease. It prevents the bacteria in your mouth from turning sugar into plaque. Tea also fights the bacteria that cause bad breath.
Crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots and celery, require extra chewing which produces saliva. Saliva helps to neutralize bacteria that cause tooth decay. Also, chewing on naturally abrasive foods removes stuck food particles, massages gums and cleans between teeth.
Vitamin-rich foods containing calcium and phosphorus can help keep tooth enamel strong and healthy. Acidic foods may cause tiny lesions on tooth enamel. Calcium and phosphate help redeposit minerals back into these lesions.
Sugarless gum/Cough Drops contain xylitol that helps to prevent plaque and aids in producing saliva. Chewing sugarless gum also keeps your breath smelling fresh. One of our favorite product lines is SPRY, xylitol containing products.
Raisins contain phytochemicals, which fights bacteria that causes tooth decay. Some compounds in raisins also affect the growth of bacteria that is associated with gum disease.
Water is the best way to stimulate saliva, which is your body’s greatest defense against bacteria that cause plaque and cavities. If you can’t brush after eating, rinse your mouth with water to assist in preventing tooth decay.
The Academy of General Dentistry also recommends some useful tips on proper nutrition for your overall health & wellness. Click here to download the AGD Fact Sheet on Nutrition for your reference.
It is important to have a balanced diet for your dental health and overall wellness. While these foods help to combat plaque buildup and tooth decay, no food can take the place of daily brushing and flossing. It is vital to continue your daily oral hygiene regimen and keep up with regular scheduled appointments with our Dental Hygiene team at The Center for Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry in Chesapeake VA. Contact us today to reserve your appointment and improve your dental health and overall wellness!
It's Your Time to SMILE!