Maintaining a healthy mouth starts with practicing good oral hygiene. That means brushing twice a day, flossing at least once, and making regular visits to your Rochester dentist for dental cleanings every six months. But that’s not all you can do to make sure that your mouth stays happy and healthy. The food you eat throughout the day is one of the top factors in determining how susceptible your mouth is to cavities and gum disease. Starchy and sugary foods assist in the accumulation of plaque, making it more difficult to effectively clean your teeth at the end of the day. Whether you’re packing your child’s lunch or preparing one for yourself, include these foods to help keep your mouth clean.
Carrots and Celery
Crunchy vegetables are a great way to limit plaque buildup while you eat because their texture is abrasive without being harmful to teeth or gums. These foods are an excellent source of nutrition and also help to whiten your teeth by getting rid of food particles. The heavy chewing required to consume these vegetables also increase saliva production, which is a great way to neutralize the acid in your mouth and wash away harmful bacteria.
Cheese
Cheese doesn’t usually make it to the top of people’s lists when they’re thinking about clean mouths. The pungent flavor of cheese can leave the mouth feeling unclean and ‘cheesy’. In reality, consumption of cheese is an excellent way to promote healthy pH levels in the mouth. In one study, participants who consumed cheese after ingesting a 10 percent sugar solution experienced a significantly smaller pH drop than those who had not consumed cheese.
Pears and Bananas
A 2004 study found that pears and bananas produced more desirable pH levels in the mouth than other fruits tested, including apples, mandarins, and pineapples. Like vegetables, fruit consumption increases saliva production in the mouth, helping to wash away food products and neutralize acids.
Contact Your Calcagno Dentist
To learn more about your oral health, or to schedule your 6-month dental cleaning, contact Calcagno Cosmetic and Family Dentistry at (507) 281-3659. Dr. Gilly Calcagno will be happy to answer any questions you might have about maintaining a healthy mouth. We welcome all patients, new and returning, from Rochester, Red Wing, St. Charles, Winona, Farmington, and the surrounding communities.
