10 Foods that will help you care for your teeth

10 Foods that will help with your dental hygiene

Sylvia Vaisman

17 Nov 2015

updated the 17 June 2016 à 16:27

1/10
Salmon
Fluoride, the same ingredient in toothpaste can be found in salmon (1.9 mg / 100 g approximately). Consumed two to three times a month, it helps prevent tooth decay and loosening. It is also an excellent source of vitamin D, which facilitates the absorption of minerals and reinforces the strength of canines, incisors and molars. This was recently by researchers of the University of Buenos Aires. Try getting wild salmon, which is richer in vitamin D than most farmed varieties (9 g / 100 g against 6.8 g / 100 g) according to Clinical Oral Investigations of October 2014.
2/10
Chocolate
Contrary to popular belief, chocolate helps with dental hygiene, just as long as it is not too sweet. The best is to choose chocolate that 70% cocoa. "Cocoa contains phosphates that neutralize acids that attack the teeth," said Dr. Franck Senninger, nutritionist and author of the Benefits of Chocolate. It also contains polyphenols, which inhibits the growth of bacteria involved in periodontitis and gingivitis. The fatty acids form a protective film that inhibits dental erosion.
3/10
Carrots
With its crunchy texture, carrots helps fight against dental plaque by getting rid of food debris stuck between teeth. Chewing raw carrots also promotes the production of saliva that cleans the tooth surface and reduces oral acidity, which is responsible for dental erosion, according to Professor Pierre Colon, head of the hospital dentistry services Rothschild in Paris. This makes carrot sticks are the perfect antidote for food like sodas or ketchup
4/10
Cheese
Cheese is perfect for providing calcium and phosphorus compounds that can re-mineralise the enamel and make teeth strong. Cooked pressed paste cheeses are best. For example, 100 g of emmental cheese delivers up to 1130 mg of calcium and 660 mg phosphorus, as opposed to 490 mg of calcium and 280 mg phosphorus in blue cheese. White yogurt also contains significant doses of these compounds and could potentially provide more lactose, which is converted by bacteria into lactic acid. End your meals with cheese rather than sweet desserts to protect your teeth!
5/10
Kale
Like spinach or parsley, Kale is a very good source of calcium. A serving of 150 grams provides 195 mg of this essential mineral to renew the enamel. In addition, kale does not contain oxalic acid, which limits the absorption of calcium from the intestine. This vegetable also brings fluorine (2 g / 100 g) and a lot of vitamin C, which is necessary against gum inflammation.
6/10
Rice or wholemeal pasta
"Their complex sugars are much less caries than biscuits or confectionery,” explained Thérèse Ellul-Ferrari, dietician-nutritionist at Nice 3. “They also provide a lasting feeling of satiety that reduces cravings and avoids snacking.” Their high magnesium content (145 mg / 100 g for brown rice and 120 mg / 100 g pasta) decreases stress which helps to stop teeth grinding that damages the enamel.
7/10
Apples
Rich in fiber, apples boost gloss enamel and saliva production, which strengthens teeth. However, it still contains sugars and organic acids that can damage teeth. The apple cannot substitute for brushing despite what some claim. Avoid the extremely sweet varieties (Golden) or the too acidic ones (Granny Smith).
8/10
Cranberries
Cranberries should be in every dental practice. Professor Daniel Grenier of the Oral Ecology Laboratory at the University of Laval (Quebec), has shown that cranberry contains specific antioxidants, which prevent binding of enamel and the mucous membranes. Try consuming them fresh or rather than as a juice.
9/10
Mineral Water
A glass of water at the end of each meal and before bed reduces the bacterial load in the mouth. Slightly fluoridated water also helps prevent cavities. A bottle of mineral water should do the trick.
10/10
Chewing Gum
Not only does chewing gum promote salivation, it also "traps" the bacteria. Just thirty minutes of chewing is long enough to trap 100 million oral bacterias. Great when you don’t have the opportunity to brush your teeth. (Disclaimer: Gum of any sort is prohibited in Singapore)

Keeping your teeth healthy doesn’t just require a toothbrush and floss, your diet can help too.

The sign of a healthy body is a beautiful smile with healthy teeth. We may think that brushing our teeth is the only way to care for our pearly whites.

Other than brushing twice a day for at least two minutes, there are other measures we need to take for healthy teeth and gums. Bacteria not only form in your mouth but on your toothbrush, so it is important to keep it upright in a holder and protect the bristles with a cap.

You can brush and floss, but you can also care for your teeth by eating certain foods. It may not be obvious but our plates hold real weapons against bad dental hygiene. This doesn’t mean you have to adopt a brand new diet; it’s just a matter about selecting choice items to consume.

Making smart choices in your food will help your enamels, protect against bad bacteria and also clean the surface of your teeth. The best news is that these foods aren’t hard to swallow. Dark chocolate for instance protects our teeth from dental erosion, so eat up if you are a chocolate lover.

Check out our gallery for 10 food items that will take your side in the battle for good dental hygiene. It’s a win-win, so smile!

Sylvia Vaisman & Amanda Lim

Photos: Getty Images

Death-Defying Destinations: 10 Places to visit for...

Christmas Gift Guide: 20 Ideas for your...

10 Foods that will help with your dental hygiene

React to this post Cancel reply