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> Monday, September 26th, 2011 > Lifestyles > What to chomp on to keep your choppers in top shape What to chomp on to keep your choppers in top shape Bobby Foley Interrobang Click here to read more Interrobang articles written by Bobby Foley Published: Monday, September 26th, 2011 When discussing the health benefits inherent in the foods that we eat, the focus most often is on the nutritive values as applied to our metabolism. Foods that are 'good for us' provide us with a ready supply of vitamins and minerals, all of which contribute to our general health by keeping our weight down, supplementing our energy levels and fueling our everyday mental and physical efforts. Often overlooked, a lot of healthy foods also have a number of positive effects on our teeth. Whether they contain a wealth of nutrients or are natural antibacterial agents, here are a number of common foods that will give you a dental leg up. Some of them — and the reasons why they're beneficial — may surprise you. To begin, it's no mystery that green tea is good for teeth. Reported widely in recent years, the fact is that green tea contains catechins that kills bacteria in your mouth and prevents it from turning sugars into plaque and causing bad breath. And as if that wasn't reason enough to drink more, green tea has been proven to fight cancer, repair the immune system and even lower cholesterol. Crunchy fruit and vegetables like celery, carrots and apples are helpful because they massage your gums and clean your teeth while you eat them. The extra chewing involved produces extra saliva in your mouth, which also works to neutralize the bacteria in your mouth. And what's more, many fruits in particular are very high in vitamin C that simultaneously fortifies collagen and strengthens your gums. Here's another you may have guessed: nuts and seeds. Of course, while they both contain calcium that is essential for strong bones and teeth, they're also the perfect texture to scrape plaque off of teeth while being eaten. In fact, some studies indicate that our ancestors thousands of years ago probably had better teeth than we do now because their diets relied more heavily on these foods. Less obviously worthwhile for your teeth is cheese — while it's naturally high in calcium, it also works to lower the pH in your mouth, preventing harmful bacteria from forming. Cheese is also low in carbohydrates and preservatives and restores tooth enamel, which can be worn down over time by abrasive or acidic food and drink. Parsley has a wealth of health benefits, notably the power to freshen your breath by rapidly getting monoterpenes into your lungs. Shiitake mushrooms contain lentinan, a sugar that prevents bacteria from creating plaque, while onions do the same with their powerful sulphur compounds. When it comes to availability and dexterity, water is arguably the most effective thing you can consume for the benefit of your teeth. Water has many of the properties mentioned earlier, from neutralizing bacteria to lowering the pH in your mouth, but is a useful element in keeping your mouth rinsed and free of food particles. Should you find yourself unable to brush after a meal or during the day, rinsing your mouth with water is an easy way to prevent gum diseases and plaque buildup. Many practitioners suggest you wait at least two to three hours between eating and brushing in order to allow saliva in the mouth to break foods down, counteract acids in foods and repair tooth enamel. As such, rinsing with water is an effective way to protect your mouth while you wait.
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