04 Dec 6 Foods for Healthy Teeth this Holiday Season
As a holistic dental practice, we believe that one of the best ways to keep your teeth strong and vibrant is through nutrition. What you eat can have a significant impact on keeping your smile healthy and beautiful. And that is especially important to consider as we enter the holiday season where sweets and junk foods abound. Here are some of the best foods for healthy teeth to keep in mind this season:
1. Celery
Because celery is crunchy, it acts like a natural toothbrush, removing harmful bacteria and food debris from your teeth. Celery stalks have high water, fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A content, which help strengthen the teeth and fight gum disease. Celery juice has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can help heal ulcers and sores in the mouth. Just be sure to grab the floss after enjoying this stringy vegetable!
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains a compound called monolaurin, which has strong antibiotic and antiviral properties, which make it great for your oral health—it also fights bad breath! Coconut oil has the added benefit of helping to heal bleeding or sensitive gums as well.
3. Raisins
It is a common misconception that raisins are bad for your teeth. Research shows that an antioxidant found in raisins, called oleanolic acid, may actually fight cavities and gum disease by preventing harmful cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to the surface of your teeth.
4. Water
Drinking water helps keep your mouth clean and prevents cavities and gum disease by washing away harmful bacteria and food particles. It also promotes saliva production, which is your mouth’s first-line defense against tooth decay.
5. Green Tea
Green tea has a plethora of dental benefits. It contains polyphenols, which prevent inflammation and protect your gums. Green tea also contains compounds that fight bad breath, prevent cavities, help with tooth sensitivity, and control oral cancer growth. If you’re not a big tea drinker, you can try oral care products that contain green tea, such as toothpaste and mouthwash. You can even chew gum or suck on candy made with green tea—just make sure they’re sugarless!
6. Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms contain a poly-saccharide called lentinan, which has antimicrobial properties that reduce oral biofilm formation and fight tooth decay and gingivitis. Shiitake extracts contain other beneficial compounds as well that have been shown to produce powerful antioxidant and anticancer activity in the body.
Happy Holidays from Prescott Dentistry
We know 2020 has been a particularly tough year for most people, and the temptation to reach for sugar is high. But one of the best self-care practices you can have is to give your body good fuel to keep it going strong—the best foods for healthy teeth are also some of the best foods for overall health. Coming to the dental office for regular cleanings and exams is also an important part of taking care of yourself. Call us to set up an appointment with one of our holistic dentists today.
Image used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/4/20) Ulrike Leone from Pixabay