“Eat your veggies” – this is something that you have heard ever since your childhood. This is because imbibing more greens in your diet can actually help to keep you healthy. Not only your overall health but even your dental health is hugely benefited if you include the green vegetables in your diet.

Your oral health can be affected by “when” and “how” you eat certain things. Bacteria in the mouth can damage the teeth. This is specially the case if you consume frequently and let the food particles sit there on the teeth or do not brush or rinse after having something.

It is for this reason that it is advisable to protect your teeth by eating vegetables and raw fruits after every meal. The high water content will help to keep the gums and mouth fresh and clean. In fact, a balanced diet that is rich in veggies and fruits can be able to prevent gum or periodontal disease and even tooth decay.

Here are certain vegetables and fruits that have proven extremely advantageous for your oral health. Make it a point to include these in your diet.

  • Leafy Greens and Cruciferous Vegetables

    -Chard, cabbage, endive, collard greens, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, spinach, asparagus, watercress and other leafy vegetables provide the body with a variety of minerals and vitamins that are necessary to maintain and enhance the oral health. The dark green vegetables are rich in nutrients like beta carotene, vitamins A and C, calcium, phosphorus as well as magnesium. High amounts of magnesium are contained in spinach and other leafy green veggies. You can also find good amount of phosphorus and vitamin C in broccoli, Brussels sprout, cauliflowers and kale. Within the teeth and bones phosphorus is stored and this mineral in vital in assisting the body to absorb and balance magnesium and calcium.

  • Citrus Fruits and Other Products

    – Because of the abundant amount of vitamin C, citrus fruits are necessary for your oral health. A deficiency of vitamin C can lead to bleeding gums that can make the teeth unstable. The gum is massaged when you chew of the fiber-rich fresh fruits. This process also increases salivation that, in turn,  neutralizes the citrus and malic acids in the mouth and assists in keeping the teeth clean.  The raw fruits that can be taken include watermelons, pears, oranges and other fruits that help to cleanse the mouth by producing added amount of saliva.

  • Apples

    – Remember the saying –“An apple a day, keeps the doctor away”! Well the dentist also seems to be included there. Because of the fibrous nature, apples are known as nature’s toothbrush. Eating an apple can help to clean the teeth until you get to brush. Fresh apples are much less likely to contribute to tooth decay as compared to apple juice. Added to that, chewing the fruits decreases cavity-causing bacteria, stimulates the gums and enhances flow of saliva. Saliva, in turn, washes away the particles of food, decreases acidity in the mouth and prevents the dry mouth that causes decay.

  • Root Vegetables, Carrots and Celery

    -Chewing hard and fibrous veggies like celery, carrots etc. stimulates the gums. Healthy teeth can only be maintained when you have healthy gums. Celery and carrots are rich in beta carotene with the help of which vitamin A is created by your body that is essential to maintain strong teeth. At the end of the meals if you have raw foods it will protect your teeth.  These foods include radish, carrots and beetroot. The teeth and gums can be cleaned by the water content of these vegetables.

So, if you have opted for a cosmetic dental treatment like teeth whitening at the best laser teeth whitening cost or are advised by your dentist to take greater care of your teeth to avoid oral problems or pain, the next thing that you can do after brushing and flossing is to include lots of fruits and green vegetables that will ensure that your teeth and gums get strong internally and give you more reasons to smile.

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