What Superfoods Are Best To Promote Better Oral Health

Posted on 10/19/2020 by Barbara Ketchum

When it comes to keeping your mouth in optimal condition, we all know the golden rules like flossing and brushing regularly. But there are other steps you can take that help with keeping your mouth healthy. Scientific studies show superfoods are best to promote better oral health. Simply adding superfoods to your diet will produce beneficial results towards your oral health goals.

What Are Superfoods and Why Are They Good for Oral Health

We have all heard of the term "superfoods." It has become quite a buzz word in the health and fitness world. But what are superfoods and why are they good for oral health?

Superfoods are foods that pack a powerful punch of nutrients. They are typically plant-based, although some fish and whole dairy products have been shown worthy of being called superfoods. A superfood is dense with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. All of these nutrients are crucial to maintaining good oral health. For example, many superfoods are high in vitamins C and A that is essential for keeping your gums strong and even helps prevent gum disease.

Superfoods are also rich in fiber. Eating superfoods high in fiber is an excellent way of keeping your mouth healthy because their fibrous, crunchy texture helps strengthen gums and helps clean your teeth. High fiber superfoods also engage your saliva glands; this is important for protecting your mouth from bacteria.

Examples of Superfoods That Promote Better Oral Health

Kale has become all the rage in diet and health research, and for good reason. Kale is crammed with vitamins K, A, C. All of these vitamins are required for your oral health. Kale is also rich in calcium, which keeps your jawbones and teeth nice and strong. Another great benefit of kale is that it is high in fiber. Fiber is a good defense against tooth decay and helps prevent oral diseases.

Two superfoods you might be surprised to learn about are strawberries and blueberries. These might be strange picks because they are sweet with natural sugars and their juices leave stains. But strawberries contain malic acid. When eaten, the malic acid in strawberries causes a chemical reaction with your saliva. This chemical reaction whitens the enamel of your teeth, making strawberries an effective tooth whitener.

Blueberries and oral health are a perfect pair because this superfood contains natural compounds called polyphenols. Polyphenols are superb at protecting your mouth from a type of bacteria that causes tooth decay. Eating blueberries can also help prevent plaque buildup and gum disease because of their amazing nutrient content.
Dairy products such as cheese and yogurt are superfoods that promote better oral health too. Cheese helps reduce acid in your mouth, which can lead to enamel erosion and other oral problems. Cheese and yogurt are also high in calcium and this is a vital mineral to keep your teeth strong and healthy. In addition to calcium, yogurt also has a special protein called casein which strengthens and helps heal tooth enamel.

These are just a few examples of superfoods that promote better oral health. Please keep in mind, that although superfoods are incredibly healthy, they must be consumed in moderation. Too much of a good thing isn't always the best. The key to eating superfoods for better oral health is moderation and variety. Be sure to incorporate a diverse range of different superfoods into your diet for optimal oral wellness.

If you want to know more about different superfoods that promote better oral health, please call our office. Our dental professionals are happy to offer you more information and tips about superfoods and how they are super valuable for your oral health.