Whether you follow a strict plant-based diet or just enjoy fruits and vegetables, here’s some good news for you — many fruits and veggies are great for your oral health! Mixing them in with meals or simply adding a healthy snack to your day can provide some great oral health benefits.
The following fruits, vegetables and nuts are welcomed additions into your diet for their abundance of health benefits, including the positive role they can play in oral health.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are versatile vegetables that can be used in salads, pasta dishes and eaten as a healthy snack, which can work wonders for your dental health. Cucumbers are rich in dietary fiber which works to clean gums and teeth. Cucumbers always have a very high water content, helping your mouth produce saliva, which aids in the digestion of food and the strength of your teeth.
Parsley
Want to implement a food into your diet that helps keep your mouth clean and healthy? Eat some parsley! Parsley contains eugenol, a compound commonly used by dentists because of its antiseptic properties. It helps to kill germs in the mouth and relieve pain, because it is also an anti-inflammatory.
Oranges
You know the saying: an orange a day keeps the teeth strong and more resistant to decay-causing-bacteria. Okay maybe that’s not it, but oranges are absolutely delicious. In addition to loads of flavor, this citrus contains lots of calcium which helps to keep teeth strong and healthy. Adding an orange to your lunch every day can inject some much-needed calcium in your diet, which is never a bad thing.
Kale And Spinach
There are many reasons you were told to eat your leafy greens growing up. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These two, in particular, are high in calcium and contain folic acid, which is a type of B vitamin that could treat gum disease in pregnant women, according to the International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences.
Almonds
Almonds are a great healthy snack that can also be used in salads, smoothies and more. They have a low sugar content while being rich in calcium and protein. This makes them a great snack to help fortify the strength of your teeth thanks to their calcium levels.
Carrots
Crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery have a huge amount of fiber. Crunching on these vegetables stimulates saliva production which, as said above, helps strengthen your teeth and reduces the risk of cavities.
The Final Word
Fruits and veggies aren’t just good for your body, they’re also great for your dental and oral health. Mixing some of these fruits and vegetables into meals or making a snack out of them will help your whole body feel better while keeping your mouth healthy and fresh.
