Super Foods For Super Dental Health

'
Dental News
The term 'dental health' refers to all aspects of the health and functioning of our mouth, including the food we eat. Although food is frequently a contributing factor in unhealthy teeth and gums, there are also some types of food that can also help improve your dental health. Based on the latest research, below is a summary of the who, what, why and wherefore on good 'dental food';

Eat Salmon & Peanut Butter
Foods richh in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on real cavity funders. The latest research shows people whose diets were rich in PUFAs, specifically DHA and EPA fatty acids, were up to 20% less likely to have periodontitis. Periodontitis is a common inflammatory condition in which the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, allowing bacteria to build up and potentially lead to bone and tooth loss. Polyunsaturated fats have been shown to reduce inflammation.

Eat Fish & Flax Oil
Foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids are the most potent anti-inflammatory nutrients which reduces swelling in the gums. This form of fat is found abundantly in in fish and flaxseed oil. Studies have shown that people who consume diets high in omega-3s are more resistant to inflammation and infection, and probably even gum disease.

Don't Ditch Dairy
Cheese and milk protect tooth enamel and ward off cavities in several ways. First, they encourage saliva production, which neutralizes acids in the mouth. The protein, calcium and phosphorous in cheese and milk also buffer acids, protecting enamel from erosion. Studies suggest that cheese and milk may even help strengthen the protective minerals in teeth surfaces.

Drink Green Tea
It helps protect against heart disease and cancer. It boosts weight loss and lowers cholesterol. And according to research published in the Journal of Periodontology, it helps keep your mouth healthy. The study showed that for every cup of green tea participants drank, there was a decrease in indicators for gum disease.

Skip Midnight Munching
Late-night eating does more than add inches to your waistline. It also can increase your chances of gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss, according to two recent studies. Saliva flow dries up at night, which may be a reason. Saliva is important for removing food debris from your mouth.

Chew Sugarless Gum
Doing so for about 20 minutes after a meal can help prevent tooth decay, the American Dental Association says. That's because the physical act of chewing gum increases the flow of saliva, which can help neutralize and wash away acids that are produced when food is broken down by bacteria in your mouth. Otherwise, the acids eat away at tooth enamel, resulting in decay.

Go Cuckoo For Cocoa
Good news for chocoholics: Substances found in cocoa appear to dampen inflammation and may help protect against erosion and decay. Even chocolate milk, although it contains some sugar, doesn’t seem to increase the risk of cavities compared to snacks like cookies, chips, and raisins. Dark chocolate is a good choice, since it is lower in sugar than milk chocolate.

Nonetheless, is not so much what you eat that will improve your overall dental health but what you should be eating. Just ask House of Representatives member Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) who is suing the congressional cafeteria for "...permanent dental and oral injuries" as a result of them accidentally slipping an olive pit into the politician's sandwich wrap back in 2008.

Thankfully, Delta Dental of Massachusetts has an online dental tool to help you assess your diet as to it causing dental caries or tooth decay as a result of the not-so-super dental food you may or may not be eating.



Related Blog Posts
Top 5 Dental Secrets You May Find Hard To Swallow ( Aug 26, 2009 )
New Perinatal And Infant Oral Health Guidelines ( Jun 14, 2009 )
Good News For Junk-Food Junkies ( Mar 14, 2009 )