An apple a day probably won’t keep the doctor away, but apples, carrots, celery, raw broccoli and other crunchy, high-fiber foods can certainly help scrub and scrape food particles from your teeth. Apples also contain vitamin C, which helps keep your gums healthy. Even the acid in apples helps rid the mouth of the bacteria that causes bad breath.
Many foods are beneficial to healthy teeth and gums. For good oral health, here are some examples of foods — including fruits, vegetables and beverages — to include on your supermarket shopping list:
Milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products contain calcium for strong, healthy teeth and bones. Cheese also contains casein, which repairs tooth enamel.
Sweet potatoes, eggs and oily fish — such as salmon and sardines — are excellent sources of vitamin A, which promotes the formation of tooth enamel by maintaining the protein keratin.
Green tea, fresh cranberries and red wine contain polyphenols, a micronutrient that limits the growth of the bacteria that causes plaque on teeth, which can lead to periodontal disease.
Drinking water instead of soda is a sugar-free way to wash food particles away from your teeth.
Aside from being delicious, many foods can help promote strong teeth and healthy gums, especially when added to a regimen that includes brushing and flossing. See the accompanying resource to learn more.
AUTHOR BIO: Dr. Jeena E. Devasia, DDS, earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University with the distinction of summa cum laude. She has participated in multiple Mission of Mercy projects and is a dentist at McLean DDS.
