We’re always hearing about food and drink that’s great for our bodies, skin and hair, but what about our teeth? Is there anything we can do to improve the health of our pearly whites? Yes. The good news is it’s possible to eat and drink your way to a cleaner and healthier mouth.

Try these everyday foods and drinks to maintain your oral hygiene:

Dairy products

You may think your parents duped you into drinking a glass of milk before bed with the promise of stronger teeth and bones, but they were absolutely right. Milk is an excellent source of calcium, which is essential for strong teeth, nails and bones.
If you’re not a fan of milk, other sources of calcium include butter, yoghurt and cheese.

Green tea

Green tea is not only a treat for your taste buds, it’s also a great way to beat oral cavities. Green tea contains compounds that control inflammation and fight bacterial infection.

The refreshing drink is also rich in antioxidants, which can help protect your mouth from cellular damage and cancerous tumours.

Brewing tip: To get the maximum health and flavour benefits, make sure you prep your tea properly. Prepare a ceramic teapot by warming it with hot water. Use fresh, filtered water rather than tap water, if possible. After bringing the water to the boil, let it cool for three minutes. Then pour it over tea leaves or a teabag and let it steep, covered, for three more minutes.

Fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables contain a host of different nutrients which are beneficial for your oral health. Vitamin C is important as it keeps gum infections at bay by keeping your immune system functioning well. Good sources of vitamin C include raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, lemons, peppers and leafy green vegetables.

Raw vegetables such as celery, broccoli and carrots, are particularly great snacks for your teeth, as increase saliva production, which washes away food debris and bacteria, while stimulating the gums.

Water

Your teeth can benefit from plain old H2O. Water helps wash away food debris and keeps your saliva levels high. Believe it or not, saliva is your mouth’s best defence against tooth decay because it contains proteins and minerals that counteract enamel–eating acids. Saliva is made up of 95% water, so if you want to avoid unnecessary cavities, do yourself a favour and stay hydrated.

Sugar-free chewing gum

It’s not often you’re encouraged to chew gum, but sugar-free chewing gum is an exception, as it helps swill your mouth out after eating by increasing the amount of saliva in your mouth. It can also help to neutralise strong flavours and odours to combat bad breath. Look out for gum that contains xylitol, a sugar derived from plants, which helps to combat tooth decay.

Foods to avoid

Most people know that eating sugary snacks and munching on chocolate bars is not good for their teeth, but you may be surprised to learn that some ‘healthy’ foods are also bad news for your teeth too. Acidic foods, such as salad dressing and fruit juices are harmful because they attack the protective enamel surfaces of the teeth.

Visit the dentist regularly

The best place to get advice on the health of your teeth is your dentist. But why not book yourself a facial or massage at Castle Thai Spa as a reward for going? Call us on 0131 629 0794 to book your treat today.