How Diet Can Help Your Oral Health - Part 1

It’s late, you’re exhausted, and the last thing on your mind is probably brushing. An important thing to remember is that oral health is closely related to our overall health, in particular to our heart health. Those who are diagnosed with heart disease are also often advised to go and see a gum specialist. Good oral health goes beyond just consistent brushing and flossing. Here are some helpful tips to boost your health, starting with your diet.

Raw firm crunchy vegetables such as Carrots, Celery, Cucumbers have the same effect as a natural toothbrush. These vegetables contain high amounts of fibre and water, so munching away on these scrubs your teeth in the process, naturally removing the plaque (a sticky film that covers your teeth, harbouring bacteria which in turn produce acids that gradually eat away your teeth, causing dental decays). These fibrous vegetables also provide a satisfying crunch, which exercises your jaw, brushes your teeth, and stimulates your gum in the process. It massages the gum and stimulates the mouth to produce saliva, which in turn neutralises and rinses away remaining food and nasty bacteria.

Hard cheeses like cheddar are a perfect replacement for snacks or desserts. The firmness of the cheese requires more chewing, which stimulates saliva production and cleanses the harmful bacteria. Cheeses are also alkaline, so eating cheddar at the end of a meal will help balance the acidity from the food and maintain the proper pH level in the mouth, reducing the chance of decay. Many would recommend a slice of cheddar after carbonated drink or acidic fruit to combat acid erosion.

Dairy milk and yogurt can also help to repair tooth enamel. They contain casein, a protein only found in dairy products, which can help strengthen teeth and against early decay. Dairy products also have a high amount of calcium phosphate, which is an essential mineral for both your bones and your teeth! The bad bacteria on your teeth produce lots of acids that dissolve these minerals, so consuming dairy products restores minerals to your mouth, protecting the teeth. The probiotics in yogurt (the good kind of bacteria) can also help to crowd out the bad bacteria on your teeth, lessening the risk of cavities.

Good dental hygiene goes beyond just eating the right foods. It’s important to see the bigger picture of your overall health and wellbeing and it is our priority to help you with this. We would love to discuss how diet can help your oral and physical health with you at your next appointment and we are always happy to answer any questions you may have.