Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing are important to keep your mouth healthy, certain reinforcement can be gained by adding foods that are good for your teeth and gums. Here we discuss some of these “functional foods.”
Apples
It keeps more than the doctor away as the munching action spurs a cleansing action that shakes up the plaque that clings to gums and teeth. However, rinse your mouth with mouthwash after eating it as even healthy foods like apples can expose your mouth to acids.
Carrots
Like apples, carrots are crunchy and full of fibre. Eating carrots at the end of the meal increases saliva production in your mouth, which reduces your risk of cavities. They are also a great source of vitamin A. Either top your salad with a few slices of raw carrot or enjoy some baby carrots on their own.
Ginger
It not only adds flavour but is a healing herb too. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger promotes healthy tissue in mouth.
Milk and dairy foods
Not only are milk and its products packed with bone-fortifying calcium, but also with the protein casein that decreases the acid levels in the mouth.Drinking milk can also neutralize acids produced by plaque bacteria. In case no milk is available, eat a piece of cheese.
Yogurt is packed with calcium and probiotics that protect you against cavities, gum disease and even bad breath.
Fresh leafy greens
High-fibre, stringy foods like raw spinach, celery, broccoli, peas, and even cooked beans are fibre-packed and need serious chewing to break down. The extra saliva produced by chewing these neutralizes mouth bacteria, thereby keeping the mouth clean.
Raw onion
Onions have antimicrobial sulphur-containing compounds that kill bacteria and wipe out potent bacterial strains that lead to gum disease and cavities. Sliver them and toss the strips in your salad, on your sandwich and burger or in soups and stews. Bad breath may be an issue, but you can always use sugarless gum and mouthwash after that.
Shiitake mushrooms
Shiitakes contain lentinan, a natural sugar that may help to prevent gingivitis. Antibacterial compounds like lentinan specifically kill the biofilm-making, cavity-causing microbes while leaving the other, non-harmful bacteria completely unaffected.
Whole, nutrient dense foods
Take whole grains, cereals, beans, nuts, seeds, hard aged cheeses, plain yogurt, meats, natto, beans, mushrooms, fish, eggs, and organ meats that provide plenty of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin K (especially K2) and vitamin D.
Arginine-rich foods
Eat more spinach, lentils, nuts, eggs, whole grains, meat, seafood, and soy.
Vitamin C rich fruits
Kiwis, strawberries, oranges, pears have the highest concentration of vitamin C in addition to other citrus fruits. Vitamin C helps to prevent collagen from breaking down and thus helps in keeping your gums strong and less susceptible to periodontal disease. These fruits also exhibit astringency, which may help to reverse discoloration caused by commonly consumed beverages like coffee and wine.
Water
Drink plenty of water which hydrates gums and stimulates the production of saliva. Drinking ideal amount of water prevents dehydration which increases the risk of mouth disease and doubles the chances of dental caries.
Sugarless gum
Chewing sugarless gum after eating boosts saliva secretion, clearing away some bacteria. The keyword here is “sugarless.” Pick a non-sugar chewing gum containing xylitol, because it destroys harmful bacteria in the mouth.
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