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When it comes to oral health, many people are not aware of just how large a role food plays in it. The food you eat has a major effect on the state of your mouth throughout the day and your entire life. A perfect example of this is how eating too many sugary snack can cause cavities, and the way that drinking too much coffee during the day can cause bad breath.
On the other side of the same coin, it’s a well accepted fact that dairy products like milk and yogurt can help to strengthen your teeth due to the high amount of calcium these foods contain. The reason for this is because calcium is known to promote the growth of strong, healthy teeth and bones. In fact, drinking a glass of 2% milk everyday can actually help you maintain strong bones in the long run of your life.
However most people are actually surprised by this next fact.
Fruit And Veggies Fight The Good Fight For Your Teeth
With summer coming to an end and falling just around the corner, grocery stores and farmers markets nationwide will be filling up with an abundance of food, as autumn is the season for harvesting and winter is the season for eating.
Many of the foods soon to be piling up in stores will be various fruits and veggies which are coming into season, and the ones that aren’t necessarily in season at the moment will still be there as well and this is a good thing for your teeth!
Now, before we go on a spin about veggies, know that when we mention them in this article we are not taking it as a chance to lecture you on your eating habits. Nope, we’re just talkin’ teeth here, people. That being said we would like to tell you something amazing about fruits and vegetables.
Fruits and veggies contain something called fiber. Fiber is a natural facilitator for the production of saliva in your mouth. Saliva happens to be your mouth’s natural defense against bacteria. When your mouth has a healthy amount of saliva in it, that saliva does something amazing to bacteria. It has the ability to keep portions of bacteria suspended in a type of liquid prison.
Something amazing happens to that bacteria once it is trapped in your saliva.
You swallow.
That might not seem that incredible, but the brilliance of it is in its mundanity. When you swallow the portions of trapped bacteria are then sent down into your digestive tract, where they can be properly and effectively dealt with. As it happens, your intestines are much better at handling bacteria than your teeth and gums are.
Right on, science!
So, Which Fruits And Veggies Do It Best?
At this point, you may be wondering which fruits and veggies are the best for your oral health. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We came bearing a list. Take it with you on your next grocery shopping trip to turn your fridge into a healthy teeth haven.
The Most Fiber Rich Fruits And Veggies
- Artichokes: 10.3 grams per medium vegetable, cooked.
- Peas: 8.8 grams per cup, cooked.
- Broccoli: 5.1 grams per cup, boiled.
- Brussels Sprouts: 4.1 grams per cup, boiled.
- Raspberries: 8 grams per cup, raw.
- Blackberries: 7.6 grams per cup, raw.
- Avocados: 6.7 grams per half, raw.
- Pears: 5.5 grams per medium fruit, raw.
How We Can Help
Here at Christie Park Dental, we are here to help you in all aspects of dentistry. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have with your oral health, or if you would like to book an appointment.
