HEALTHY SMILE
11 equals 32: Get a Healthy Set of Teeth by Consuming these 11 Foods Regularly
Your dental health is more important than you realise; tooth and gum problems have been known to cause larger complications like heart disease, for instance.
Avoid toothaches, cavities and gum disease simply by including these teeth-fortifying foods in your daily diet, and you will have healthy teeth at any and every age!
11 teeth fortifying foods to consume daily:
Water: Water helps wash away debris and boosts the saliva levels in your mouth. Which is why drinking 8-12 glasses throughout the day is essential. Saliva is your best defence against tooth decay as it contains the minerals and proteins that are essential in fending off enamel-eroding acids.
Milk: Milk is an excellent source of calcium, essential to keep your teeth strong and your jaw bones healthy. It also protects you against gum diseases. So, make sure you have at least one glassful of milk a day.
Citrus Fruits: With their high Vitamin C content, citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits, among others, help strengthen blood vessels and connective tissue while treating inflammation head-on.
Green Tea: Green tea contains Catechins,which are anti-bacterial and also great for oral health and hygiene. Research shows that regular green tea drinkers have fewer occurrences of periodontal disease and delayed loss of teeth in their old age.
Onions: Raw onions have excellent bacteria-busting properties due to the antimicrobial sulphur compounds they contain, which provide much needed protection against decay.
Nuts & Seeds: Rich in micronutrients such as zinc, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium and calcium, nuts and seeds are essential for strong teeth. So, stock up and have a bowlful for breakfast.
Raisins: Raisins are naturally sweet and do not contain sucrose which stick to the surface of your teeth and attract bacteria. Instead they contain phytochemicals which kill cavity causing bacteria. Carry a tiny pouch filled with raisins and munch on them as an in-between-meals snack.
Cheese: A great way to balance the pH levels in your mouth is to eat some cheese as it helps neutralise the plaque acid. A slice a day will help keep the dentist away!
Strawberries, Cranberries & Kiwi: Vitamin C aids the prevention of collagen from breaking down and for the overall health of the delicate gum tissue. Strawberries, cranberries and kiwis are powerhouses of Vitamin C. These fruits also have astringent properties and prevent reverse discolouration caused by coffee, tea and aerated drinks.
Sugarless Gum: Since chewing increases saliva production which is vital for clearing away mouth bacteria, pop a stick in between meals but make sure you only pick the sugar-free variety.
Fish: Vitamin D is crucial for oral health as it helps in faster absorption of Calcium. Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel are excellent sources of Vitamin D.