Las Vegas Dentist Recommends These Foods & Drinks for Improved Oral Health

Brushing and flossing are absolutely important in maintaining excellent oral health, but what is commonly overlooked (brushing & flossing also happen to be overlooked!) are the foods and drinks that we consume on a daily basis.

The fact of the matter is that certain foods and drinks will inevitably have an effect on our oral health. Too many sweet drinks, sodas, fried foods, and other non-nutritious snacks will undoubtedly contribute to the development of plaque on our teeth and gums.

Brushing & Flossing Will Not Completely Prevent Issues

Thankfully, strict brushing & flossing protocol can combat this to a degree. But sometimes the amount of brushing & flossing will not be enough to overpower an insatiable desire ton indulge often.

If we had to select the absolute worst category of foods or drinks that you could consume for your oral health, then we’d unanimously vote on sugary snacks. Do you have to rid of sugary snacks indefinitely? Absolutely not. But the next time you have the temptation to indulge, consciously try thinking about how it may impact your oral health.

Las Vegas Dentists Recommend These Foods & Drinks

Certain fruits and vegetables have the ability to stimulate the release of saliva, which is important in managing the bacteria responsible for plaque production in the mouth.

These fruits & vegetables are:

• ·      Apples (an apple a day may also keep the dentist away?)
• ·      Carrots
• ·      Cucumber
• ·      Celery 

Watch out for highly acidic fruits such as orange. Yes, they are indeed healthy, but they are not so healthy for teeth. However, you’re much better consuming an orange or other highly-acidic fruit than any type of candy, especially gummy candies which may become stuck deep within the pockets of teeth.

Nuts!

Not just any nuts, but cashews specifically. Researchers have found that cashew nut oils fight off bacteria that contribute to tooth decay. Regular nuts are good too, but cashew are great for oral health.

Green Tea

Green tea comes with a plethora of benefits, not just oral health but overall health as well. Green teas contain polyphenols that have shown to slow the development of bacteria associated with gum disease and decay. Black teas work also, but black teas may stain your teeth so green tea is the recommended choice.

Wholesome Dairy Products

It may sound counter-intuitive, but dairy products - especially milk – help to reduce acidity both in your mouth and in your stomach. This is great for controlling bacteria.

These are just a few of our suggestions. One of the most beneficial things you can consume is at its very basic form: water. Staying hydrated is important in keeping saliva levels up to speed, which is very important for bacteria control. And of course, keep brushing & flossing. J