Improving your dental health doesn’t always have to involve a strict and rigorous cleaning routine, and in many cases, a change in nutrition and eating habits can have a drastic impact on your oral health. As you probably already know, foods which are high in sugar, such as sweets and fizzy drinks, can damage your teeth, but some studies have suggested that certain foods can actually help to improve the strength of your teeth. Whether you have a full set of your own pearly whites, or you’ve just had dental implants London put in, there are a number of foods that you can eat to help improve your overall oral health and reduce deterioration.
Cheese
Cheese is known to be very high in calcium, and calcium can help to harden the enamel of your teeth, protecting them and helping to improve your overall health. In addition to this, a study published in the journal of the American Academy of General Dentistry actually reported that cheese can also help to lower the risk of tooth decay and raise the levels of pH in the mouth. On top of this, the chewing motion needed to eat cheese can increase the amount of cleansing saliva in your mouth too!
Yoghurt
Not only is yoghurt high in calcium which can help to improve the strength of your teeth, the probiotics which can be found in yoghurt can help to benefit your gums. This is due to the fact that these good bacteria (the probiotics) can help to flush away any of the bad bacteria which may be causing cavities in your mouth. However, be careful that the yoghurt you choose is not full of any added sugar, and choose a natural flavour.
Apples
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but it can also help to keep the dentist away too! Already known as dental detergents, the crunchiness of apples (alongside other foods like celery and carrots) can help to increase the amount of cleansing saliva in your mouth, which can help to rinse away excess bacteria or food particles which are stored in your mouth. Alongside this, the fibrous texture of apples can also help to stimulate the gums. Try eating an apple after each meal you have, and you could see a dramatic improvement in your oral health.
Raw Onion
Many people may be confused by this one, because not many people enjoy eating raw onion, but if you include a slice or two in your sandwich, then you can benefit from onion’s powerful antibacterial properties. An experiment performed at a Korean university actually showed that onions are able to wipe out certain strains of bacteria which can cause gum disease. Just remember, consuming raw onion can leave you with stinky breath so pack your sugar-free peppermint chewing gum!
Wasabi
Are you a lover of sushi? Well now you’re able to snack on it even more, particularly if you enjoy a side of wasabi. Wasabi is a cousin to horseradish and has phenomenal bacteria fighting properties. Not only can it help to fight off excess bacteria in your mouth, but Japanese research believes that wasabi can actually help to stop bacteria from sticking to the teeth, too.
There are so many types of foods which can help to improve your overall oral health, so start snacking!