Tariq Drabu Discussed What Foods You Should Be Eating to Promote Oral Health

Diet, what you should be eating and what you shouldn’t be eating is always a hot topic, especially when it comes to your general health. Many patients don’t realise what an impact their diet has on their oral health. Eating a healthy diet brimming with calcium and crunch vegetables and fruits can have a positive impact on your oral health, reducing the risk of tooth decay, cavities and gum disease.

Calcium is imperative when it comes to healthy teeth and bones, which is why milk is a great product to add to your diet on a daily basis. Milk is filled with calcium and while it does contain lactose, lactose is the least damaging sugar you can have when it comes to protecting your teeth and gums.

There is an important note about milk. While it’s great during the day, avoid it at night. Ensure you brush your teeth for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste as you go to bed to protect your teeth and gums as you sleep.

Green tea is another item you can add to your daily diet to promote healthy teeth and gums. Green tea is brimming with polyphenols which remove plaque from the teeth. Be careful though, green tea can be very acidic, so it should only be consumed in moderation. Don’t drink too much of it, otherwise you could be harming your teeth rather than protecting them in the long run.

Children that eat cheese on a daily basis can reduce the number of calories they have. You should also include plenty of crunchy fruits and vegetables to your diet. Eating crunchy foods increases the saliva production. Saliva is alkaline and imperative in protecting your teeth and gums. Anyone who suffers from dry mouth will find that their teeth will suffer as a result.

Yoghurt is also a fantastic food to add to your oral health diet. Yoghurt is filled with healthy live bacteria, proteins and probiotics which can help promote healthy teeth and reduce the risk of infection.

The two things you should eliminate from your diet is sugars and acids. Sugared foods and drinks are a leading cause of tooth decay, especially in children in the United Kingdom. Eliminating sugared drinks and fruit juices from your diet can help you enjoy healthy teeth and gums moving forward.