You know that what you eat has an impact on your oral health. For example, sugary food and drinks create acid, which mixes with bacteria in your mouth, leading to tooth decay and diminished enamel. There are also foods that help clean your teeth as you eat them. Read on to see what they are!
Apples.
Apples are incredibly fibrous, acting as a toothbrush as they clean plaque and food particles off of your teeth. The fiber is found in the skin of the apples, so make sure you leave it on! In addition, the acid in apples works to kill bacteria that cause bad breath, so next time you want to chew on a piece of gum, opt for an apple instead!
Carrots.
Carrots, like apples, are fibrous and clean your teeth as you eat them. Since carrots are hard and take little work to chew, they also stimulate saliva production. Saliva helps wash out bacteria in your mouth, creating a healthier and cleaner environment. In addition, carrots are an excellent source of Vitamin A. One serving provides almost 200% of your daily value, which means that a serving of carrots daily can aid in your vision, growth, immunity, gum, and enamel health!
Spinach and Kale.
Leafy greens, particularly spinach and kale, and low in calories and high in fiber. As with apples and carrots, the high fiber content helps clean your teeth as you eat, but these leafy greens are also chock-full of vitamins that can help your entire body. For example, kale has more vitamin C, vitamin K, and calcium than spinach, but spinach has more iron, vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, and folate. Calcium strengthens teeth and enamel, while vitamin A supports gum and enamel health.
These fruits and vegetables can be found at any grocery store, or farmer’s market year-round and are full of so many nutrients that it would be a shame to pass them up! Try to incorporate these into your daily meals, and you should notice improvements in your health and teeth. If you have any questions about this or any other suggestions we make, give us a call. At Cakmes Dental Studio, we love teaching our patients tricks of the trade to keep a healthy mouth. Fortunately, eating fruits and veggies like these is almost too easy!