Taking care of your teeth is an important part of staying healthy. Poor tooth health can increase the risks of cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections and even dementia.
Urban areas like New York City can also have adverse effects on tooth health due to environmental factors, so it’s even more important to look after your teeth. If you want to make your trips for emergency dental care in NYC less frequent, try eating and drinking these three things:
TEA
Black and green teas contain compounds called polyphenols which have antioxidant properties that can destroy the bacteria associated with gum disease.
Just drinking one cup of tea can help. One study by the University of Illinois Chicago found that those who used black tea had less plaque buildup than those who drank only water. Tea also lowers the acidity of your saliva, which helps to control cavity growth and bad breath.
Most importantly, there is evidence that black and green teas protect against cellular damage and cancerous tumor growth. In a study by the University of Texas, researchers gave patients with precancerous lesions in their mouths green tea extract, and it slowed the progression to oral cancer.
CHEESE
Dairy products are great for tooth health. Cheese contains lactic acid and calcium, two essential proponents of a healthy smile.
Like tea, cheese lowers the pH of your saliva. Research has shown that by eating cheese after a meal, the acidity of saliva is lowered more rapidly than by drinking water or milk or eating yogurt. This can help fight cavities and promote an overall healthy mouth. Not only does cheese lower the pH, it also increases the flow of saliva which acts like a river, washing harmful bacteria away from your mouth where it can be expelled.
Cheese also fights against plaque, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
CRUNCHY FOODS
Everyone knows that brushing their teeth is one of the most important ways to prevent all kinds of oral health problems. But what happens when you can’t brush your teeth after a meal?
Just eat something crunchy.
Crunchy foods like apples, celery and carrots require a lot of chewing, which increases saliva to wash away unwanted bacteria. Chewing also scrubs the teeth and gums: the fibrous proteins contained in crunchy fruits and vegetables creates a natural scrubbing action that scours away plaque, tartar and food particles that have been left behind.
Any fruit that has a tough rind or skin will work, like apples, pears and even cucumbers. Hard vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are great for scrubbing teeth.
If there are no fruits or vegetables handy, chewing on mints will also work. And it will help freshen your breath!
A healthy smile is an important part of a healthy life. By keeping your mouth in top shape and preventing ailments like tooth decay, plaque and tartar, your overall health is sure to be better. So choose to eat foods and drink beverages that promote oral health.
Justin Green has been on a mission to get his smile looking its best, initially for his wedding day photos, but now he’s hooked on his smile! He writes about things you can do to get a healthy, white smile and what has worked for him.
I love cheese and eat some every day. Glad to know that it helps my teeth, and I drink green tea and glad to know this helps my gums and teeth!
I like cheese and tea. Nice to know they also help my teeth.
Hi Michelle! Really interesting article! I’m surprised – and happy – to read that black tea is good for your teeth. Every time I go for a check-up and cleaning, the dental hygienist says something about the tea stains on my teeth. But I haven’t had a cavity in years, so I guess I’ll keep up my 2-cup a day habit! Pinning this.
I knew about the crunchy foods but I didn’t know about how tea and cheese can help our teeth. Thanks for the wonderful information.
These are great tips! I take my dental hygiene very seriously.