Why Eating More Fruit & Vegetables Benefits Oral Health
An apple (and more!) a day….
Last week the media reported on studies that suggested that instead of 5 portions of fruit and vegetable a day being optimum for your health, 10 a day is what we should really be aiming for. The study, widely discussed in many newspapers, suggests the more fruit and vegetables we eat, the more protection against common diseases and medical issues we will enjoy.
Here at Abbey Road Dental in St John’s Wood, we can’t tell you whether or not the study holds any ground with your general health, but we can tell you that your oral health does benefit from you eating more fruit and vegetables, here’s why:
Fruit And Vegetables Help Reduce Your Risk Of Oral Cancer
According to Cancer Research UK; eating a diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables could increase your protection against oral cancer. Not eating enough fruit and vegetables has been found to be linked to many UK oral cancer cases.
Fruit & Vegetables Help Clean Your Teeth
Crisp fruits like apples, along with vegetables like celery and carrots can help clean your teeth. The crunching action of your teeth, and the texture of the vegetables all help to move residual food debris from your mouth.
Fruit & Vegetables Can Help Naturally Whiten Your Teeth
Certain fruits and vegetables, like strawberries for example, can help whiten your teeth because of a component within them called malic acid. Try rubbing strawberries on your teeth after a meal for a natural tooth whitener that’s also nutritious for your body. But don’t go too far with it and don’t expect too much!
Fruit & Vegetables Help You Produce More Saliva
Fibrous foods like celery and raw spinach help to stimulate saliva in your mouth. Saliva helps to keep the bacteria in your mouth neutral, so foods that help stimulate you to produce more can only be good news for your mouth.
Fruit & Vegetables Help Your Mouth Fight Bacteria
Certain vegetables, like raw onion is amazing for fighting bacteria. Tiny ingredients within raw onion works to fight and kill bacteria and helps to remove certain bacteria types that can contribute to gum disease and tooth problems.
Vitamin C Helps Prevent Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums and issues with the gum tissue can have many different causes, one of them being inadequate nutrition. Not consuming enough vitamin C can contribute to the risk of bleeding gums, which can turn into early stage gum disease if left untreated. Vitamin C helps the body to complete maintenance, including repair on the jawbone and teeth. Whether you already have gum disease, or you currently have no signs of it, consuming more vitamin C from fruit and vegetables like oranges, sweet potatoes and carrots will only serve to help you heal, and protect you from future oral health issues.
Speak To Abbey Road Dental For More Advice On Your Oral Health!
Eating more fruit and vegetables can only benefit your health, and hopefully the reasons listed above are leaving you inspired to ‘eat the rainbow’ a lot more in the future. It is also important to remember that practicing regular, excellent dental hygiene is another key part of maintaining your oral health. Brushing your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes each time, and visiting Abbey Road Dental every six months are important parts of maintaining a good dental hygiene regime.
If you would like to register with our NW8 clinic as a new patient, or you need a book an appointment, please call us on 02076241603 and we will be more than happy to book you in!