How Chewing Tough Foods Can Help to Reduce Plaque

Plaque is the enemy of your teeth. The more plaque that builds up on tooth enamel, the higher the risk of cavities is. The most effective way to remove plaque is by brushing and flossing your teeth morning and night. But apart from your twice daily oral hygiene sessions, how else can you protect your teeth? Eating tough foods during mealtimes, and even as snacks, is one way to reduce plaque.

Plaque Is Sticky and Acidic

Most people know what plaque is. Plaque is that sticky, yellow gunk that forms on the surfaces of teeth throughout the day. Plaque causes bad breath, stains and cavities. That's why you need to ensure that your teeth aren't always covered in plaque. But not everyone has the luxury of brushing their teeth during the day.

Fortunately, even if you are often too busy or don't have the facilities to brush your teeth in the middle of the day, you can brush your teeth with snacks and meals instead.

Tough and Fibrous Foods Brush Plaque From Your Teeth

Did you know that people in the Middle East and in some parts of Asia brush their teeth with twigs from the arak tree? Because the twigs of the arak tree are rich in antibacterial compounds as well as fluoride, its twigs make for the most natural toothbrushes on the planet. But more than that, these twigs are also fibrous and tough, which means that they rub dental plaque from teeth easily.

You can achieve the same results during mealtimes if you select fibrous foods. The following list contains just some of the foods that you can include in your diet to brush plaque from your teeth as you eat:

• Apples
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Leafy vegetables
• Celery
• Pineapple

All of these foods are fibrous enough to rub plaque off your teeth as you eat at mealtimes. And even if you can't always include these items in meals, especially when you are busy, you can ensure that you take these items to work with you. For instance, you could easily have a bag of sliced apples in your desk drawer that you could snack on throughout the day.

And if you do choose something sweet and fibrous like apple or pineapple, chew a stick of gum afterwards to stimulate saliva production. Saliva will help to neutralize the acids and wash away any sugary residue left on your teeth.

Contact your local dentist to learn more.