Do you brush twice a day, floss regularly and visit the dentist for cleanings twice a year, but you still aren’t receiving the perfect review you hoped for at your dental appointments? You can help supplement the usual steps with making sure you are getting the right foods that improve your dental health.
Specific foods to avoid are mainly those that contain sugar, which is the biggest culprit of tooth damage – especially added, refined sugars. These sugars can feed harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay. Other especially harmful things for your teeth are acidic beverages like sodas and sports drinks.
What foods can benefit your dental health?
1.) Garlic
Garlic is known for its antibacterial properties, and it is exceptionally rich in the compound allicin. Garlic prevents the activity of a wide range of bacteria that can cause imbalance in the oral environment.
While garlic is best known for causing bad breath, adding it to a salad or an omelette can benefit your overall dental health.
2.) Cloves
In traditional spice islands like Indonesia, cloves have been known for their antimicrobial properties for centuries. Their remarkable properties can be attributed to the rich source of eugenol and oleic acid.
A powerful spice with a sweet kick, cloves can be used in a range of cooking, such as curries and soups, and cloves are also particularly useful as a sugar replacement for desserts like spice cakes and various others.
3.) Turmeric
For many decades, this extremely rich, yellow-colored plant has been used in India, where it has been consumed in spice form for thousands of years.
Turmeric has long been believed to be a remedy for problems in the mouth. It has a high amount of antimicrobial activity because of its primary active component curcumin.
Turmeric is an excellent addition to curries and different meats. Or you can simply add a teaspoon to a morning smoothie or acai bowl.
4.) Butter
We know, butter isn’t the best for you, (even if it is delicious to add to any meal), so consume in moderation. But it is great for your teeth! Packed with fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K2 (if raised from grass-fed cows), it’s also rich in calcium and conjugated linoleic acid, which is a booster of the immune system.
5.) Green tea
Steeped with a rich history in Chinese medicine where it was known for its wide-ranging health benefits, green tea maintains a low acidity, so it also promotes tooth remineralization of tooth enamel.
In addition to your recommended brushing and flossing routine, adding these foods into your diet and removing those that are harmful to teeth can not only improve overall dental health but help to prevent and combat any future dental issues that could arise. For more information please contact Golden Hill Family Dentistry today.
