Your teeth are a big part of why you enjoy the food that you eat, but you can wear them out if you eat foods that are overly crunchy or chewy. That is why you have to keep them strong through regular brushing and going easy on sweets as this contributes a lot to their decay. When that happens, you may end up using dentures or require oral surgery.
A rotten tooth can pose an extreme danger to your body if not extracted properly. There is a chance that it just gets chipped off and a small part of it remains in your gums. That is home to bacteria that can infect your gums or your whole mouth, so that has to be removed immediately to avoid further complications.
Eating has to be an enjoyable activity. As long as you know how to take care of your teeth, you can let yourself go and just indulge in consuming your favorite dishes. But you might want to try snacking on these delicious treats. Not only are they tasty, but they can also help in maintaining your pearly whites.
An Apple a Day…
Apples are known to have a lot of health benefits, and you can add this one to the list. The high water content in this fruit helps in the production of saliva, which is instrumental in oral care. This body fluid allows your mouth to rinse itself of bacteria and food particles. Sometimes your mouth gets dry, and that would be a signal for you to hydrate so you can replenish lost water. A bite of this crunchy fruit is refreshingly juicy and subtly sweet, though the latter will depend on the type of apple that you are having.
Chewing the apple’s skin is also great at getting in between your teeth. It can be annoying at first, but that makes it work like a floss. It may stay there for a moment but it will naturally slide itself out if you give it some time. You can also flush those out by drinking water.
This just goes to show that not only do apples keep the doctors away, but dentists as well.
Turning a New Leaf
Another mainstay of the “good food” list, most leafy vegetables come packed with vitamins and minerals. Notable examples would be lettuce, spinach, and kale. They are rich in calcium, which is a mineral known to strengthen your tooth enamel. They are also a great source of folic acid, which is a vitamin that can reduce inflammation of the gums and prevent it from bleeding.
Eating fresh greens will have you experiencing that awesome crunch in every bite. The good thing is they are low in calories and high in fiber, perfect for those who are watching their weights. But if ever you have another reason to have a salad, then that would be so you could have beautiful teeth.
Smile and Say Cheese
Those who love to eat cheese will count this as good news, as they have another good excuse to consume this dairy product. They are found to increase the pH level of your mouth, which is an indicator of acidity. So if you score high on that, it can only mean that you have good oral health. The saliva you produce will be more effective in its cleaning purposes, and this leads to a lower chance of being infected by bacteria.
Being a dairy product, cheese is also a great source of calcium. This will help strengthen all the bones in your body, your teeth included. Just do not consume too much, because it can be high in fat and sodium.
Out of Gum?
Remember the days when you were younger, and you thought that chewing gum made you look cool? Well then, go ahead and chew away regardless of your age. Doing that makes your mouth release saliva and also get into those crevices that you always try so hard to reach with your tongue. Furthermore, this encourages the release of calcium and phosphate, with the latter specializing in strengthening tooth enamel.
There are also gums out there that contain xylitol. This is a type of sweetener, and studies have shown that it can also help lessen the bacteria in your mouth. When you are out traveling and you cannot find a place where you can brush your teeth, just pop these in your mouth and chew away. It should keep you feeling fresh and hold you over until you get access to better facilities.
So instead of digging in your bag for candies, just get yourself a stick of sugar-free gum. That should satisfy your sweet cravings and at the same time improve your oral health.
You have to remember that these foods are not replacements for brushing and flossing. These merely serve as an aid for you to maintain good oral health. But the great thing about them is they do not let you sacrifice flavor in exchange for that.