Did you know that the foods you choose can affect your teeth just as much as brushing and flossing? Choosing foods that naturally help reduce plaque build-up, fight bacteria and protect gums is a great way to protect your pearly whites. Try these five: 1. Kiwifruit For their size, kiwifruit pack a hefty punch of vitamin C – one large one provides more than 100 per cent of your recommended daily allowance. Vitamin C is essential for maintaining the collagen in your gums; if collagen breaks down, your gums become tender and vulnerable to periodontal disease. 2. Green Tea Green tea is a rich source of catechins, substances that kill the bacteria in your mouth that turn sugar into plaque. They also help counter the bacteria that cause bad breath. 3. Shiitake Mushrooms According to a report in Caries Research, lentinan, a sugar found in these tasty mushrooms, helps stop oral bacteria from creating plaque. Buy them fresh or dried, and add to soups or stir-fries. 4. Sesame Seeds A tablespoon contains a whopping 87mg of calcium, plus chewing on them helps slough off plaque and build tooth enamel. Sprinkle them on salads and steamed vegetables. 5. Wasabi If you enjoy Japanese cuisine, you’re in luck! Also known as Japanese horseradish, this condiment not only adds zing to sushi, it protects your teeth. According to a study in Biofactors, the substances that make it hot – isothiocyanates – slow the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.
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