Top 9 Nutrients for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Teeth happen to be quite important and oral health is said to be much more than just a beautiful smile. It is said to the mirror of the overall health and it also has a great impact on the same. Foods and beverages consumed by us play a major role in determining the oral health.

While regular brushing and flossing are essential for the oral health, the holistic oral care goes much beyond just that.  As far as oral health is concerned what you put inside the mouth defines the kind of oral health you will have to a great extent.

Having too many snacks and starches like potato chips and pretzels as well as excessive carbohydrates and sugary foods can lead to tooth decay. The longer the carbohydrates remain on the teeth the greater the chances of decay.

Here are some of the nutrients or healthy foods and drinks that have proven to be extremely beneficial for the oral health. Just take a look.

Kiwis and Strawberries

Vitamin C is of crucial significance for the overall health of strong teeth and delicate gum tissues. This is because Vitamin C assists in preventing collagen from breaking down. The gums can get extra tender without collagen and they get susceptible to periodontal ailment. The strawberries and kiwis contain the highest amount of vitamin C, but the citrus fruits are also quite enriched with it. These fruits assist with astringency, too, which help to reverse the discoloration caused by the usual beverages like wine and coffee. Nevertheless, the citrus fruits can also lead to the erosion of tooth enamel. Hence you should have lots of water after your orange snack.

Bone Broth

Bone broth is made by leeching and simmering nutrients from the animal bones. This usually involves the animals that are pasture-raised and grass-fed. The bone broth consists of a number of nutrients that are conducive to healthy teeth including magnesium, calcium, gelatine and phosphorus. Together these nutrients offer some of the building blocks essential for maintaining the healthy bones and teeth. Bone broth has the added benefit of supporting the immune system, healing the digestive tract for fighting off unwanted microbes that can be contributing to the poor oral health. For the added anti-microbial benefits a few drops of Oregano oil can also be added prior to drinking each serving.

Cheese

If you are a fan of cheese then here is another reason why you should be enjoying the tasty food more often. Research has revealed that eating cheese enhances the saliva production in the mouth. Cheese also contains protein and calcium and nutrients that strengthen the enamel of the teeth.

Crunchy Foods

It takes some serious amount of chewing for breaking down foods like apples, carrots and cucumbers. But all the crunching is not in vain. The dental plaque can be disturbed through this and it serves as a cleansing mechanism. That is why instead of settling on the teeth and remaining in the mouth, the bacteria can get cleared away when you have these foods.

Leafy Greens

The leafy greens like that of kale and spinach are known for the health benefits. It turns out that they can promote oral health. The leafy greens are quite high in calcium which helps to build the enamel of the teeth and they contain folic acid which is a type of vitamin B. It has several health benefits and can also treat gum ailments in case of women who are pregnant.

Nuts and Seeds

Two of the greatest sources of plant-based protein happen to be seeds and nuts. They are enriched with the teeth-healthy nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, potassium and most significantly calcium. For strong bones and teeth, calcium is of utmost significance and the calcium in the form of diet can assist with remineralisation of teeth. The brazil nuts and almonds are the ones that are highest in calcium. The sesame seeds are also enriched with calcium. But for that make sure you get the variety that is not hulled.

Shiitake Mushrooms

The shiitakes consist of a natural sugar known as lentinan which may help in preventing gingivitis. Gingivitis happens to be a type of gum inflammation that is characterised by the swelling, redness and possibly even bleeding of the gums. This is often caused by the bacterial biofilm build-up. Research has revealed that the antibacterial compounds from the mushrooms specially target these microbes that make biofilm. They are, in fact, so effective that they leave the non-harmful bacteria completely unaffected.

Milk

Studies show that drinking a glass of milk after taking sugar-sweetened, dry Fruit loops helps to reduce the acidic level of the mouth more than a glass of apple juice or water. Some of the acid produced by plaque bacteria is neutralised by milk. However, if you add milk to cereals it doesn’t produce the same benefit. The milk gets sweet and syrupy and that is bad for the teeth. Drinking a glass of milk after having a pastry or other sweet dessert can also protect the teeth. If milk is not there you can also try some cheese which is also quite beneficial for teeth as mentioned above.

Fish

Fish happen to be great sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Severe inflammation is a significant risk factor for the enhanced periodontal disease. Omega 3 fat helps to reduce enhanced inflammation and also assists with the maintenance of the healthy gums and teeth. For a majority of people getting around 1-5 gms of omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) every day has proven to be beneficial. The good sources of this are varieties of fish like pacific sardines and Alaskan salmon. These are also great as sources of fat-soluble vitamins and minerals.

The above are some of the most beneficial foods and drinks for healthy gums and teeth. Now that you know them, try to include these in your diet as much as possible. Apart from following a great diet, you should brush twice and floss regularly every day. Also make it a point to go for dental check-up at the clinic of a reputed dentist, whom you can find by typing “best dentist near me” in your search engine, once every 6 months. By following these you can rest assured that you are taking care of your oral health in the right way and you will be able to flaunt a beautiful smile confidently for years to come.