Summer dental care: Tips for maintaining oral health all season long

Crunchy fruits and vegetables: Consuming fiber-rich foods helps keep teeth and gums clean, as noted by the American Dental Association. Foods such as apples, carrots, celery, and cucumbers are high in fiber and require chewing, which stimulates saliva production and helps maintain a healthy smile. Research has also shown an inverse relationship between fruit consumption and periodontitis. In other words, the more fiber-rich fruits consumed, the lower the risk of serious gum diseases such as periodontitis.³

Leafy greens: Spinach, kale, and other leafy vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals such as calcium, folic acid, and B vitamins, which promote oral health.⁴

Lean proteins: Foods such as chicken, turkey, and lean beef contain phosphorus, which is essential for strong teeth and bone tissue. Lean proteins are also rich in essential amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which are vital for gum tissue health.⁵

Nuts and seeds: These provide healthy fats, protein, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, which are beneficial for oral health.

Green tea: Green tea is one of the world’s most popular beverages and has been shown to positively impact human health. Green tea contains antioxidants called catechins, which can help reduce inflammation in the mouth and fight bacteria.⁶

Xylitol: Xylitol is a natural sweetener that helps reduce the amount of Streptococcus mutans bacteria in dental plaque and saliva. S. mutans is the main cause of tooth decay. Chewing gum containing xylitol can stimulate saliva production and help reduce the risk of tooth decay. The recommended daily dose of xylitol for caries prevention is 6–10 grams per day.^7,8

Lingonberries: Lingonberries are used in traditional Finnish medicine to treat oral yeast infections, among other things. Lingonberries contain compounds, similar to those found in cranberries, that may prevent bacteria from adhering to teeth, reducing the risk of decay. Lingonberries are a promising natural approach to improving oral health due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproteolytic, cancer-preventive, and antimicrobial effects.⁸

Unflavored yogurt: Consuming yogurt, especially unflavored or low-sugar yogurt, can be beneficial for oral health and help manage bad breath. Yogurt is a good source of probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can also help balance oral microbiota. Imbalanced oral microbiota can contribute to halitosis. The best yogurts for dental health are unflavored and Greek yogurts, as they often contain the most probiotics. Yogurt also contains plenty of calcium, which helps keep teeth strong.⁹