8 Foods and Drinks That Help Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy

Many people think that foods and drinks can’t positively affect their oral health. But the reality is that vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are essential for your body including your oral cavity. In this article, we have gathered eight foods and drinks that help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

1. Apples

An apple a day keeps a doctor away. Even though it is essential to visit a dentist's office on a regular basis, regular consumption of apples can help make your teeth and gums healthier. Apples are full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that can help improve your health. The crunchy structure of apples makes them extremely beneficial to your teeth and gums. While eating apples, you remove dental plaque and bacteria from your mouth, improve blood circulation in your gums, and increase salivation. That’s why it is important to include apples in your diet.

2. Leafy greens

Leafy greens (like spinach, kale, watercress, leaf lettuce, arugula, etc.) are a great source of vitamin B, E, A, C, PP, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iodine, sodium, phosphorus, iron, beta-carotene, and folic acid. They help prevent the development of gum disease and tooth decay. In addition, regular consumption of leafy greens can reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and mental disorders.

3. Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are rich in vitamins and amino acids that can positively affect the condition of your oral cavity and your overall health. You should know that some nuts have antibacterial properties that can help prevent the development of tooth decay and gum disease. Solid nuts and seeds can also help remove dental plaque and bacteria from your oral cavity.

4. Water

Insufficient water consumption is a quite common issue for many people. You should understand that if you don’t drink enough water, you promote bacterial overgrowth in your mouth. When you drink water, you wash away food particles, dental plaque, and bacteria from your oral cavity. Additionally, saliva production that is essential for your oral health and digestion also depends on water consumption. That’s why it is essential to drink at least eight cups of plain water a day.

5. Oily fish

If you want to have healthy teeth and gums, you need to increase the consumption of oily fish (sardines, herring, anchovies, salmon, trout, tuna, swordfish, and mackerel). The point is that oily fish contain vitamin D and Omega 3 fatty acids. A lack of these nutrients can cause a lot of health issues. You should also know that Omega 3 can help reduce your risk of gum disease and even help treat it in combination with other treatment options.

6. Dairy products

Dairy products (like milk, cottage cheese, hard cheese, yogurt, etc.) are a great source of calcium that helps keep your teeth and bones strong. That's why it is essential to add more dairy products to your diet. However, it is important to avoid dairy products that contain sugar or other sweeteners since they can promote the bacteria growth and development of oral issues. Additionally, hard cheese can normalize the pH level in your mouth. If you eat or drink some acidic foods and beverages, you can eat hard cheese to reduce the acidity and prevent the enamel softening.

7. Tea

Black and green teas are also quite beneficial to your teeth and gums. The point is that green tea contains powerful antioxidants that help prevent the development of gum disease. It also reduces the risk of tooth decay and bad breath caused by bacterial overgrowth. Black tea neutralizes an enzyme called glucosyltransferase that is responsible for converting sugars into a sticky material that helps plaque adhere to teeth. However, it is essential to limit the consumption of strong black tea since it can stain your tooth enamel.

8. Dark chocolate

It can be a quite surprising fact but dark chocolate can also positively affect your teeth. However, it is essential to choose chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and fiber. It helps improve blood circulation in gums and saliva production. Additionally, dark chocolate contains cocoa that reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth. That's why you can eat a few pieces of dark chocolate several times a week without any damage to your oral health.

The bottom line

Even though the aforementioned foods and drinks can significantly improve the condition of your teeth and gums, you shouldn't forget to maintain proper oral hygiene and visit your dentist at least twice a year. Proper oral care can help prevent the development of many oral issues and make your teeth and gums strong and healthy.