If you’ve recently undergone a dental implant in Richmond or elsewhere in the UK, then you’ve no doubt been told the importance of regular brushing and flossing which helps to get rid of food particles and sugars which join forces with bacteria to create plaque. Plaque contains acids which damage the enamel on teeth and causes cavities, which pave the way towards periodontal or gum disease and the likely loss of teeth and possible failure of a dental implant.
Growing research is showing that like specific foods which promote a healthy heart, certain foods can also be good for the teeth and promote good oral health. Let’s take a look at a few of them:
Crunchy foods
It can take some serious chewing to work your way through a crunchy apple or some sticks of carrots, but it has been suggested that all that chewing may in fact act as a cleaning mechanism by disturbing dental plaque. Instead of remaining in your mouth and settling on your teeth, chewing washes bacteria away.
Black and green tea
Black and green tea contains certain compounds known as polyphenols which are known to slow down the growth of bacteria associated with gum disease and cavities. According to research carried out at the University of Illinois in Chicago it was discovered that people who used black tea to rinse their mouths for a minute at a time, 10 times a day, had less of a build-up of plaque on their teeth than people who did the same procedure using water. It was also found that the plaque was not as sticky or as dense.
Milk
Milk can also be drunk to good effect since it has been found that milk neutralises some of the acids which are produced by the bacteria in plaque. Try drinking a glass of milk after consuming a sweet dessert or a piece of sticky chocolate cake or if milk isn’t too hand, then nibble on a small piece of cheddar cheese.
Raisins
Raisins are naturally sweet and don’t contain sucrose or processed sugar which actually helps bacteria to stick to tooth enamel to create plaque. Raisins contain phytochemicals which can attack and kill bacterial plaque which causes cavities. In addition they contain certain compounds which can slow down the growth of bacteria which cause gum disease.
Strawberries
Strawberries shouldn’t just be saved for Wimbledon tennis fortnight, instead eat plenty of them throughout the summer. Similar to oranges, strawberries are rich in vitamin C which is responsible for the production of collagen that helps to maintain the strength and health of gums which is vital to the health of your teeth and implants. Just half a cup a day of fresh strawberries will give you 70% of your overall daily requirement of vitamin C.
We’ve been carrying out dental implants in Richmond for a number of years and regularly see the numbers rising. Although implants are the closest thing to real teeth, there is no substitute for natural teeth; we always promote attention to oral hygiene, regular dental visits and eating fortifying food for your teeth to help keep your own teeth for as long as you possibly can. If you’d like more information on dental implants procedures, then please feel free to call us on 020 8876 5277 or visit the website at www.sheendental.co.uk.