5 Unusual Ways to Better Your Oral Health

Eat Scrubby Foods

Good oral health does not just consist of strong teeth and fresh breath, the gums must also be taken into consideration. For this reason, it is crucial to consider foods that will strengthen the gums as well as the teeth, such as those rich in calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and vitamin C. Many of these are already included in the average diet, such as cheese, milk, leafy greens, and nuts. Several of humankind's early ancestors that relied heavily on a meat-based diet showed signs of exceptional teeth quality, leading many to conclude that red meats and some organ meats are most beneficial. It should go without saying, but drinking copious amounts of water also regularly rinses the mouth and keeps bacteria from developing.

The vitamin and health benefits of foods aside, there are some foods that perform double duty by scrubbing your teeth as you chew, just as ancient peoples from the Sudan use to chew on twigs (and some native cultures do still to this day). Eating an apple is an excellent example of this, as the crunchy and tough exterior mimics the scrubbing action that occurs when people brush their teeth. Celery, carrots, and leafy greens also serve to scrub the teeth due to their high fiber content. It will not completely negate your need for brushing twice a day, but it will certainly provide a nice boost to your regular oral hygiene.

Stop Drinking Diet Sodas

Despite the labels, diet sodas are among some of the worst things human beings can drink. Although they have lower calories, sugar, and other harmful qualities, they deliver the same taste due to the high amount of chemicals contained within. The aspartame and other chemical components have been linked to weight gain, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer, so eliminating diet sodas can help in all sorts of ways, beginning with your teeth. Despite several experts offering advice to the contrary, brushing teeth right after drinking diet sodas will not wholly negate the detriment it causes.

The acids in diet soda can rot the teeth right down the stubs, dissolving the enamel and creating cavities rapidly due to the citric and phosphorus acids they contain. Though this damage can be repaired in some cases, many will eventually require root canals, crowns, or bridges to mitigate the damage. Bad oral health, in general, has been linked to more wide-reaching diseases, such as decreased metabolism, diabetes, and a lowered immune system.