All of us know that we should be brushing and flossing our teeth at least twice per day. However, it’s important for us to understand the types of foods that we are eating and how they are either benefiting or harming the health of our mouths. While most of us are still social distancing and spending more time in the comfort of our own homes, cooking has become a great hobby. Did you know that what you cook and what you eat can help your teeth and oral health? In this blog post we are going to be discussing some of the best foods that you can utilize in your home cooking that will help improve the quality of your dental health.
Starting off, we want to let all of our patients know that we are open! As of June 1st, we were able to open our doors and start offering our usual services, not just emergency dental work. For more information about scheduling appointments and what our new policies are please connect with us directly. We are more than happy to go over everything, and wewant you to know that the health of our employees, staff, and patients is the most important to us.
Cheese and Other Dairy Products
As if we needed another reason to consume more cheese or want to consume more cheese, cheese helps our mouths produce saliva. When you produce more saliva it helps your body protect against cavities and tooth decay. It also helps to wash away the food source, which can eliminate the food that may be stuck on your teeth and tongue. There is also a ton of calcium in cheese, which helps put back minerals that you may have lost. Calcium helps with bone growth, which helps our teeth since our teeth are bones. Cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products also help rebuild tooth enamel which strengthens the surface.
Leafy Greens
We all heard our parents telling us to “eat our vegetables”, but just as always, we should listen to their advice. Leafy greens like spinach, kale, broccoli, and so many others are filled with fiber and also help produce saliva. Some of these greens even form a coating on our teeth when they are chewed which can protect against foods that may stain or stick to our teeth. It helps to restore minerals to the areas of your teeth that may have lost them from bacteria, acids, or sugars. So the next time you hear your mom telling you to eat your greens, listen! Not only is it great for your body but also your teeth!
Salmon
Salmon is a great source of healthy fats and omega-3s. It also has a large amount of vitamin D in it which helps keep your bones strong and healthy due to its ability to help absorb calcium. This can help strengthen your teeth preventing cracks, breaking, and other forms of fragility. Salmon is a fish that goes well with so many other types of food. Bake some the night before and use it in a salad for lunch the next day! Treat your family to a healthy and delicious dinner at home!
Carrots
Carrots do more than just help your vision improve. Their crunchy texture makes you chew for longer which helps increase saliva production. The friction also helps to clean your teeth and rids them of bacteria, germs, and other leftover food. You can easily incorporate carrots into a multitude of foods and can cook them in multiple ways. Carrots even make a great snack for both kids and adults!
Tea
While you may not be cooking with tea, a nice comforting cup of tea before bed or in the morning is a wonderful way to keep your body hydrated and healthy. Specifically, black and green teas both contain polyphenols which interact with plaque bacteria. These substances either kill or prevent the spread of bacteria. Bacteria in the mouth can cause a lot of issues including tooth decay, gingivitis, tongue diseases, bad breath, and so much more. So, preventing the growing or spreading of bacteria can really help improve the health of your mouth. It’s also a great source of water and can help swish out any stubborn food particles or leftovers. While green tea tends to not stain, black tea may be able to stain your teeth. Drinking with a straw can help prevent the staining while still allowing you to enjoy a nice cup of tea.
Sugarless Gum and Mints
Another thing you’re not cooking with but chewing sugarless gum or mints is another great way to help produce saliva that can help remove plaque and other food particles in your mouth. It’s also a great way to help curb snacking cravings that might lead you to reach for a sugary snack. It can also help freshen your breath.
Here at Smiles by Dr. Santos, we want to help give you the best smile possible. Whether you’re looking for routine cleaning and preventative services or needing something more cosmetic, we’re here for you! We’re so excited to announce that we are once again open for normal routine procedures and can’t wait to see you. As we mentioned earlier, please connect with us directly before coming into our office as we do have certain procedures in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. We’re also currently accepting new patients!