Foods That Are Good for Your Smile
Brushing and flossing regularly remain your best bets when it comes to
maintaining good oral health, but incorporating some specific foods into
your diet can also help improve your oral hygiene. Try integrating some
of these teeth-friendly foods into your regimen to keep your smile
bright and your gums healthy.
Foods That Are Good for Your Smile... |
1. Strawberries
They
may be bright red, but malic acid, a chief enzyme in strawberries, is
proven to naturally remove stains on your teeth by acting as an
astringent to remove surface discoloration. According to Beverly Hills,
CA, cosmetic dentist Laurence Rifkin, DDS, malic acid is also shown to
scrub your teeth while at the same time removing its stains. Also a good
source of vitamin C, strawberries effectively aid in the clearing of
plaque from your teeth.
2. Apples
An
apple’s crunchiness strengthens gums while its high water content
increases saliva production. Saliva neutralizes the acids formed by
cavity-causing bacteria. It then combines with the apple’s organic
fibers to naturally clean teeth and remove bacteria, acting almost as a
toothbrush as you chew.
3. Onions
Although
not the first snack most would think to munch on, onions can be quite
beneficial to your chompers. Onions contain powerful antibacterial
sulfur compounds and are colorless, so they wont cause surface stains on
your teeth. Research suggests they are most powerful when eaten freshly
peeled and raw. And since our immediate reaction after eating one is to
run and brush our teeth it’s a surefire way to get whiter, healthier
teeth. Don’t like onions? Garlic also contains these sulfur compounds.
4. Broccoli
These
crunchy vegetables won’t get stuck to your teeth, which means they
won’t cause surface stains. Based on a study published in the The
European Journal of Dentistry, the iron in broccoli may also help form
an acid-resistant film on teeth. After exposure to an acid-based drink
like soda, enamel erodes half as quickly with this film’s protection.
Try adding some raw broccoli to your next meal or snack the florets will
gently scrub the surface of the teeth, giving them a swift and natural
midday brush.
5. Parsley
Chewing
parsley or mint leaves after a pungent meal will help you maintain
sweet-smelling breath. Along with chlorophyll, which has antibacterial
properties that kill germs to freshen breath, these herbs contain
monoterpenes, volatile substances that travel quickly from your
bloodstream to your lungs, where their odors are released via your
breath.
6. Wasabi
Otherwise
known as Japanese horseradish, wasabi not only provides the “zing” to
your sushi—it also protects your teeth. Wasabi contains compounds called
isothiocyanates that are shown to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus
mutans, the bacteria that causes cavities. Try incorporating a teaspoon
of wasabi paste into your next meal or salad dressing to help protect
your teeth from cavities.
7. Tea
Green
tea contains substances that kill the bacteria in your mouth that then
turn sugar into plaque, which is a sticky mass of bacteria, sugars,
proteins and fats that produces cavity-causing acid when it comes in
contact with sugary or starchy foods. Because the natural antioxidant
compounds found in green tea prevent plaque from accumulating, your risk
of cavities and bad breath are also reduced. Additionally, a study
found that a daily cup of green tea significantly lowered Japanese men’s
risk of developing gum disease. The polyphenols in black tea can also
help destroy the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath.
8. Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake
mushrooms have long been known for boosting immune response, but recent
research reveals they can protect teeth as well. A study by the
Pediatric Caries Research Program discovered that Lentinan, a sugar
found in these mushrooms, prevents mouth bacteria from growing and thus
from creating plaque.
9. Yogurt
Researchers
in Japan, who published their findings in the Journal of
Periodontology, carefully analyzed the diets of roughly 1,000 adults and
found that those who incorporated the highest amounts of
dairy specifically yogurt and yogurt type drinks had the healthiest
gums. Studies show that probiotics, the good bacteria, found in yogurt
may be responsible for protecting gums. A 2005 study also found that
yogurt can stop the growth of bad breath-causing bacteria.
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