A healthy diet will not only help you keep your body in tip-top shape, but it will also help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. On the other hand, if your diet is not up-to-par, then your oral health will likely begin to suffer. Eating healthy is just as important as brushing and flossing.

Teas 

Black and green tea are filled with polyphenols. These are antioxidants that have been shown to slow down the growth of bacteria. There was a study done by a team of researchers at the University of Illinois in Chicago. The researchers asked people to rinse their mouth with black tea 10 times per day for one minute at a time. The results of the study showed that the participants had significantly less plaque in their mouth.

There was another study done in 2010 that showed that black tea can also fight bad breath. Halitosis, or bad breath, helps prevent bad breath by suppressing the growth of smelly compounds in the mouth.

Cheese 

If you love cheese, then you will be happy to know that it can benefit your teeth and gums. Cheese helps raise the PH of the mouth. This helps reduce the risk of tooth decay. Chewing cheese can also increase saliva production, which helps keep the mouth clean. Furthermore, cheese is filled with protein and calcium, which helps strengthen the tooth enamel.

Raisins 

Contrary to popular belief, raisins are great for your teeth. They are high in natural sugar, but they do not have any table sugar. Raisins have phytochemicals, which can kill plaque. They have also been shown to suppress the growth of bacteria, which can decrease the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Carrots 

Carrots are filled with fiber. If you eat a handful of carrots after a meal, then you can increase saliva production. Carrots are filled with vitamin A. You can eat carrots on their own or top your salad with them.

Sugarless Gum 

If you love chewing gum, then you should consider chewing sugarless gum. The reason that sugarless gum is great for your oral health is because it helps stimulate saliva production. Bacteria need sugar in order to grow, which is why it is important to chew sugarless gum.

Almonds 

Almonds are low in sugar and high in protein. They are also a great source of calcium. You can have a cup of almonds with your lunch or for a snack. You can also add almonds to your salad or stir-fry almonds.

Celery 

Celery is another food that Dr Nancy Halsema may recommend that you eat. Even though celery often gets a bad rap because of its bland taste, it is one of the healthiest foods that you can eat. It has vitamin A and vitamin C, which are nutrients that can boost your oral health. You can add flavor to your celery by dipping it in peanut butter or cream cheese.