 |
| http://www.carefair.com/nutrition/Your_Teeth_and_Food_4223.html |
So it's January, and if you're like me, you're still in the swing of setting goals and trying to add healthier habits to your lifestyle. You know, lose that last 5 lbs, exercise 3x a week, get more sleep... the usual.
I also had my annual check-up with Dr. Matthews. I have a tooth that's behaving badly, so we talked about some options to keep it healthy until I can afford more aggressive treatment. (I should probably just talk to Mary about CreditCare ®.) When Dr. Matthews asked me if was flossing, of course I sheepishly said, no. You can't lie about flossing. Trust me. But it got me thinking about more preventive measures. Of course, we all know that milk is great for your teeth–so are fruits and veggies. And DON'T chew popcorn kernels! (Ugh. Guilty as charged) But I did a little homework and found a few dental heath surprises.
Drink to your oral health
This one seems like a gimme, but Americans tend to be soda drinkers. Drink plenty of water. It can help wash off sugars and acid from your teeth. Better still if the water is fluoridated! Fluoride has been proven to strengthen the enamel and prevent cavities. It is especially effective when used early on in childhood. Chug-a-lug, y'all.
Whole is better
Research has shown that whole grains are great for your teeth along with being better for preventing diseases like diabetes and heart ailments. A study from McMaster University, Canada found that men who ate at least three servings of whole grains were 23% less likely to suffer from periodontitis than those who ate more wholegrain breads. It also stabilised blood sugar levels in diabetics which reduces periodontitis. Your heart will thank you, too.
Open sesame!
Sesame seeds and sesame oil are extremely good for your teeth as them remove dental plaque helping boost oral healthy. In fact, one Ayurvedic practice involves oil pulling – swishing oil around in your mouth which actually whitens your teeth. It also helps remove streptococcus bacteria from both teeth plaque and mouth saliva. Sesame seeds, which are rich in calcium, have been found to reduce plaque and also help re-mineralise tooth enamel.
Chocolate – friend, not foe
Woohoo! Here's one I can totally get on board with! Chocolate has long been linked to ruining teeth in children but that’s mostly due to improper cleaning practices after eating the said-chocolate. When taken in moderation, chocolate especially dark chocolate can benefit your teeth thanks to its antioxidants but the major benefit comes from the cocoa extract called theobromine. Theobromine is an alkaloid of the cocoa plant and is found in chocolate along with teas and other foods. It helps harden tooth enamel which prevents teeth from decaying. In fact, in 2-4 years we could actually have cocoa-enhanced toothpaste! I think all my dreams just came true.
Go herbal
In many parts of rural India, it’s the norm to use neem twigs to brush one’s teeth instead of toothpaste and brushes. The plant itself has immense antimicrobial and antifungal properties. A study tested whether neem could be used to treat gum disease and they found that it was actually better than regular mouthwash! Other than neem, ginger is known to help maintain healthy teeth and gums and prevent plaque. The highly valued holy basil (tulsi), a natural antibiotic, is known to protect against bleeding gums and also increase the whiteness of the teeth. (I grow my own basil...Guess I better start grazing!) The antibacterial property of basil can prevent dental plaque build-up and eliminate bad odor too.
Coconut oil
Like sesame oil, coconut oil is also used for oil pulling–swishing it in the mouth like a mouthwash. Used for thousands of years as a traditional remedy, coconut oil is particularly effective in battling oral bacteria. It works similar to digestion as the enzymes break down the fat from the oil into acid, which wipes out the germs from your mouth! If you're not ready to start swishing, try cooking with it instead of butter. Or add some coconut milk to your morning smoothie. Every little bit helps.
Of course, noshing sesame seeds and basil leaves followed by a nice coconut oil chaser isn't going to keep you out of the chair, but these are some fairly simple ways to keep your teeth healthier in the new year. And we can all eat a little more chocolate, right?
