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10 superfoods to keep your family’s oral health in check

Did you know you can eat certain foods for oral hygiene? An expert suggests these superfoods to keep your bad breath in check.
You’ve got to eat right to ensure your oral hygiene. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Dr Praveen Kumar Updated: 19 Jul 2022, 15:34 pm IST
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Let’s be honest here: no one likes to tolerate bad breath and poor oral hygiene. It is one of the easiest ways to ruin your first impression. If you’re looking for the most basic solution to keep your own and your family’s oral health in check, we have an answer! Well, first of all, you need to inculcate good oral hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing. However, if you’re still struggling with poor oral health, it could be because of your eating habits. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the foods for oral hygiene.

10 healthy foods for oral hygiene

1. Yogurt

Since yogurt has an abundance of calcium, it can strengthen your enamel (the outermost layer of the teeth). According to some of the recent scientific studies, it can also eliminate bad breath by reducing odor-causing compounds like hydrogen sulfide. However, make sure that you eat yogurt that does not contain excessive sugar as it may do more harm than good.

2. Apples and carrots

Crunchy fruits like apples, carrots, and celery stimulate saliva production, which eventually helps rinse the mouth of any bacteria that may lead to cavities. Need something to eat on the go? Grab an apple from your fridge.

3. Raisins

Although it’s usually advised to not eat sticky foods as they may become breeding ground for bacteria, certain sticky foods can improve oral health. Chicago College of Dentistry conducted a study that revealed that raisins contain phytochemicals that can ward off the bacteria responsible for causing cavities and gum diseases.

4. Green Tea

You must have heard a lot about green tea being an effective beverage for reducing weight. However, new research has shown that it can also boost periodontal health by reducing inflammation and bacterial growth inside the mouth which leads to gum diseases.

Also Read: 9 quick fixes for your bad breath caused by onion and garlic

You have to work hard to keep your teeth strong and clean. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

5. Whole grains

Who doesn’t know that whole grains are excellent for maintaining good health? Now it is being suggested that whole grains like oats, barley, bran, etc. can indirectly improve periodontal health as well by boosting your body’s ability to process blood sugar.

6. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a popular spice that has been used for maintaining oral health since ancient times. It contains an oil called cinnamic aldehyde that can inhibit bacterial growth, thereby preventing infections and diseases.

7. Cranberries

Cranberries are popular for curing bladder infections but they can also be used to improve periodontal health. They contain natural compounds which make it difficult for bacteria to cling to surfaces. Studies have shown that cranberry juice prevents the formation of glucan, which acts as a building block for plaque. However, you should still brush your teeth after having cranberries as they have high quantities of sugar and acids.

Green leafy veggies can be great for your oral hygiene. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

8. Onions

This may seem like a bit of a head-scratcher but it’s very effective. Although onions themselves are pungent-smelling vegetables, they are fascinatingly effective against different kinds of bacteria and can help prevent the formation of cavities.

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9. Green, leafy vegetables

There are countless health benefits of consuming green, leafy vegetables. Much like whole grains, they too help process blood sugar and keep the teeth healthy. They also stimulate the production of saliva and contain phytochemicals that can root out bacteria.

10. Milk and cheese

Both milk and cheese are rich in calcium that strengthens the teeth and bones. They also contain a protein called casein, which can neutralize the acids that are produced by the bacteria – hence reducing bad breath and preventing the yellowing of teeth.

Also Read: Sensitivity in teeth? These 5 foods are responsible for it

Brushing your teeth right is essential. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

For oral hygiene, don’t forget to brush

It doesn’t matter how healthy a food is, if you’re not brushing your teeth after consuming it, you will fall victim to plaque buildup in your mouth, leading to bad breath and yellow teeth. It is, therefore, extremely important to brush your teeth after eating, regardless of foods for oral hygiene.

Unhealthy diets have been held responsible by many studies for oral diseases, even oral cancer. Therefore, it might be worthwhile to fill your plate with fruits, raisins, and green leafy vegetables for a while.

Dr Praveen Kumar

Dr Praveen Kumar MDS, PGDHA, MBA-HCA (FMS)   ...Read More

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