Food for Thought: Healthy Foods that can help your Dental Hygiene
Looking after your dental hygiene is very important. Regular dentist check-ups and brushing and flossing regularly definitely contributes to this, however, there are other things you can do to keep your teeth healthy and sparkling clean. The foods you consume can greatly affect the condition of your teeth. See below a few handy tips to follow and see if increasing these foods in your diet help to maintain your dental hygiene.
Milk
Many studies have been conducted which demonstrate that milk lowers the level of acidity in your mouth and therefore neutralises acid produced by plaque bacteria. This therefore has a positive impact on your teeth and can reduce the risk of cavities. Drinking a glass of milk after having sweets or dessert can also help protect your teeth from sugar which can rot your teeth.
Crunchy Foods
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” can apparently also be applied to dentists! Studies have shown that chewing foods such as apples, cucumbers and carrots may help break down dental plaque and service as a cleaning mechanism. Bacteria is cleared away when chewing these foods instead of remaining in your mouth to build up, so get crunching on an apple today!
Black Tea
Polyphenols, which are compounds found in black and green teas, have been proven to slow the development of bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria contributes to cavities and gum disease and so tea can help break down these bacteria. Try and avoid adding sugar to tea, as sugars can have the opposite effect on your teeth!
Cheese
Especially prevalent in children and adolescents, eating cheese has proven to also lower acid levels in mouths which prevented the build-up of plaque, even more so effective than milk or yoghurt in some cases. The calcium in cheese is very strong and this helps add minerals to your teeth which may have been lost through the consumption of other foods.
Your teeth will be with you for life once you enter the teenage life stage and so it is important to do everything you can to look after them properly.
If you have any questions about maintaining positive dental hygiene, contact one of our dentists today who are the experts in the field. At Bay Street Dental Group, we believe in a holistic approach to dentistry and can advise you on the best way to look after your teeth. Prioritise your dental hygiene today and call us to organise a consultation.
