Sunday, October 2, 2011

Super Foods for A Super Smile

The foods you eat can affect the health of your smile just as much as proper brushing and flossing can. Eating foods high in starch or sugar can create bacteria that cause plaque as well as teeth decaying acids. However, certain foods actually strengthen teeth and gums by fighting plaque and bacteria, improving enamel and freshening breath.


Super Smile Snacks
When eating raw celery or carrots you have to chew extra long; creating more saliva, which stops bacteria from forming. The extra chewing also cleans between teeth and cleanses the gums.

Cheese is low in carbohydrates and extremely rich in calcium and phosphate, which has several benefits for your teeth. It helps to lower acid in your mouth that encourages the growth of cavities. Cheese also strengthens the teeth by rebuilding tooth enamel, and creating saliva, which fights bacteria and helps to prevent gum disease.
Believe it or not some teas like green, white and jasmine are actually good for teeth. These teas contain catechins that kill bacteria in the mouth, which create plaque. Catechins also kill the germs that cause bad breath.

Eating onion causes bad breath but the vegetable has unique properties that are antibacterial. Onions contain antibacterial sulfur compounds that kill several different types of bacteria including the type that cause plaque and gingivitis. They are most powerful when eaten raw or fresh.

Kiwis have tons of vitamin C supplying 100% of the daily-recommended amounts of the vitamin. Getting enough vitamin C is crucial for the health of gums. Vitamin C is necessary for the collagen in gums, which is important for their strength. Without enough Vitamin C gums are more susceptible to the bacteria that cause periodontal disease.

Eating parsley or mint leaves after eating a meal helps maintain fresh breath. These fragrant herbs contain monoterpenes, which travel to the lungs where bad breath is released through your mouth.

Shiitake mushrooms in particular contain high amounts of the sugar lentinan. Lentinan prevents bacteria from forming plaque on the teeth. Fresh shiitakes contain more lentinan but dried ones also contain the bacteria fighter.

Sesame seeds scrape plaque that accumulates on teeth. Seeds also help to build enamel, which protects teeth. Sesame seeds are high in calcium, which preserves and build bone that surrounds your teeth and gum as well in your jaw.

Wasabi and other naturally spicy foods contain isothiocyanates, which are substances that make wasabi hot. They also aid in the growth of cavity fighting bacteria. Eating wasabi a few times per week can drastically reduce the chance of getting a cavity.
Perhaps the simplest thing you can do to have healthy teeth is to drink plenty of water. Drinking water keeps gums hydrated making them healthy and perfectly pink. Water is also necessary for creating saliva, which is the mouths greatest defense for fighting bacteria that causes plaque and cavities.

Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is imperative, but these foods can give you that extra boost to maintain a healthy mouth and beautiful smile.

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