Tea
Say goodbye to bad breath! Studies have shown that tea can prevent bacteria in the mouth. Compounds called polyphenols, found in black and green teas, slow the growth of bacteria associated with cavities and gum disease. Don’t forget to brush though! Tea can still stain teeth.
Raisins
Raisins have been found to contain phytochemicals, which may kill cavity-causing plaque bacteria. This mouth healthy food can also affect the growth of bacteria associated with gum disease, plus raisins don’t contain sucrose or table sugar.
Crunchy foods
While it’s not a good idea to eat foods that are to hard, eating crunchy foods can help your mouth! When you bite into something crunchy it can help remove plaque instead of letting it remain stuck to your teeth.
Vitamin-rich foods
Cheese, almonds and leafy greens are mouth healthy foods. These contain calcium, which helps keep enamel strong. Also consider foods such as meat, eggs and fish. These phosphorus rich foods also promote strong tooth enamel.
Sugarless gum
Chewing sugar free gum is a great mouth healthy choice. This can help boost saliva secretion, clearing away some bacteria. Make sure when you choose your gum that it is “Sugar-Free”! Gum that contains sugar only assists bacteria to grow.
Milk and Cheese
Milk has been found to lower the amount of acid in the mouth. So after you eat something sugary or very acidic, consider a mouth healthy glass of milk. Cheese has been found to have an even greater effect of lowering the amount of acid in the mouth.
Cranberries
Like tea, cranberries contain polyphenols, which may keep plaque from sticking to teeth. Thus eating cranberries can lower the risk of cavities. Just keep in mind that many cranberry products have added sugar, which is bad for teeth, so make your healthy choices wisely!
Keep in mind that every food has different effects and can have both positive and negative effects on your mouth. Always brush at least twice a day!