#17 TEN SURPRISING FOODS THAT MAY HELP PREVENT TOOTH DECAY
June 2, 2020
Perhaps you wake up in the morning and have some coffee and toast. Maybe it’s orange juice and eggs. And MAYBE, you’re good at flossing and brushing immediately afterwards? Unfortunately, your oral hygiene regimen may not be enough to ward off the effect of all the snacks and drinks throughout the day.
It is a proven fact that starchy or sugary foods along with acidic foods cause lots of decay and your oral hygiene may not be enough to prevent decay. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and carbs and you need to be better than most to avoid decay and gum disease. So, what foods should you eat that will avoid decay and gum disease?
We all know to try and avoid sugar, but what could we possibly eat that would help us in the battle. I have come up with 10 healthy foods that may actually help to prevent decay and gum disease. So, check these out!
Seafood-Fish, lobster and shellfish are an excellent source of protein and contain little or no sticky starches or sugar. Also, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) many seafoods contain Fluoride in trace amounts. Fluoride can strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of decay.
Avocados-How about that piece of toast in the morning with avocado on it? Avocados are very high in potassium which helps to prevent tooth decay.
Butter-Lately research indicates that butter is a good source of vitamin B12 which helps to fight gum disease. We all need help. My suggestion is to use butter than is from cattle that on a natural grass-fed diet. My favorite brand is KerryGold. They even make cheese. It’s awesome-try it.
Nuts-most nuts are very rich in phosphorous and are great for neutralizing the ph of our saliva which can reduce the risk of decay. My favorites are pecans, almonds and walnuts. Because of the high calory content try not to eat more than a handful a day. They are also full of heart healthy fats.
Fiber rich vegetables-Cauliflower and broccoli are at the top of my list. They are very heart healthy and the fiber helps to keep teeth and gums clean and healthy. I love some of that KerryGold butter on cauliflower. It tastes like a baked potato.
Cheese-cheese is rich in calcium and it is a big saliva maker. Saliva tends to wash down the bad stuff and calcium is what teeth are made of. Try the KerryGold cheese.
Beans-Teeth are composed of calcium and phosphorus and beans are phosphate rich. Beans are not usually part of the Paleo diet because they contain phytic acid. This is a big debate, but beans are food for teeth.
Sweet Potatoes-sweet potatoes help to buffer the ph of saliva and are a good source of Vitamin A.
Eggs-sunny side up or over easy-that’s how I like them. Also put some of that Kerrygold butter on there. Regardless of your style, eggs are rich in vitamin D and actively fight tooth decay. There has also been some research that Vitamin D may help you fight off COVID-19. Count me in!
Green or Black Tea-tea contains polyphenols that can interact with bacteria in the mouth. Tea can either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria and of course this helps to fight tooth decay and gum disease since they are both caused by bacteria.
SUMMARY-In my opinion, we could all eat a little healthier and if we eat foods that help to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, what do we have to lose? Most of the above foods are included in the PALEO DIET and I have seen some major health improvements in my patients that follow the PALEO LIFESTYE/DIET.
“THE MOUTH IS THE WINDOW TO YOUR HEALTH”. BRUSH AND FLOSS TWICE DAILY, AVOID SUGAR FOR 2020 AND SEE YOUR DENTIST AND PHYSICIAN ON A REGULAR BASIS. IF YOU ARE AFRAID TO GO OUT IN PUBLIC OR IF YOU ARE MEDICALLY COMPROMISED IN ANY WAY-THEN DON’T GO OUT!!! I think it is safer to go to the dentist than it is to go the grocery store or any of the big stores.
