Detergent Foods: Clean your teeth while you eat!

Did you know that there are certain foods you can eat which help to clean your teeth? We call them "detergent foods." In dentistry we look at the impact of food in three ways: the kind of food, how often it is eaten, and when it is eaten. Detergent foods should be the last piece of food you consume during a meal for best results. Think of them as the closest you can get to brushing your teeth.

A healthy diet is important for oral health as well as overall health, but here are some particular foods that can help clean your teeth and mouth:

  • Carrots
  • Apples
  • Celery sticks
  • Popcorn
  • Cucumbers
  • Pears
  • Lettuce
  • Cheese

As you can see, detergent foods are usually foods that are firm and crisp. They act like scrubbers on and around your teeth and gums and bring your mouth's pH back to 7.0, which is optimal.

Which foods are the worst for your teeth?

Cookies, cakes, breads, chips, crackers, soft drinks, dried fruit, and candies (what many people’s diets are full of) provide carbohydrates (sugar) to the bacteria in your mouth causing an acidic environment and increasing the chance of cavities and decay. These foods are sticky and don't rinse easily from your mouth. Avoid letting these foods sit on your teeth after eating them.

It also depends on how often you consume these foods throughout the day. For example, if you drink soft drinks, it's best to have it all in one sitting instead of sipping it all throughout the day. Doing so causes the perfect environment in your mouth for bacteria to flourish and your saliva never gets the chance to neutralize its pH.

This is where detergent foods can come into play. When you're about to finish your meal, have an apple, celery stick, or carrot. It will act like a "natural toothbrush." Also, try to make these detergent foods the basis for snacks you have throughout the day.

Always remember, these foods are not a replacement for brushing and flossing. You still need good dental hygiene regardless of what you're eating! For more tips and tricks for ideal oral health, ask the doctor the next time you visit our Somerville, New Jersey office!

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    Great care provided by the entire group! Doctor's are all awesome, answer all questions or concerns & have helped all my family's Dental needs ??Highly recommend !!!

    Bob Muzzin

    Truly amazing! I was hesitant to visit any dentist for several years after my braces were taken off because of a previous bad experience I had. First entering the office I was greeted warmly by very friendly staff. I knew I needed two root canals and several fillings done all of which I was not looking forward to. She had asked if we could just do one filling on my first visit which I had agreed to. The procedure went flawlessly. For those who are scared of needles (which was my worst fear), Dr. Wadhwa is extremely experienced in this field and knows how to make the pain almost nonexistent. It took some convincing but Dr. Wadhwa had relieved all of my concerns of going to the dentist. She is the only dentist I'll be visiting ever again for any routine or intricate procedures.

    Nick Spano

    I had stopped going to the dentist for the last few years because of a previous bad expierence. I decided to try Dr. Wadhwa and was very pleased. She is very friendly and understood mty hesitancy about going back to the dentist. She answered all my questions and asked to make sure I understood everything. I will have to come back for fillings but she explained the procedure and I feel much better about it. The staff up front is also very welcoming, they actually seemed interested with what I was talking about. I would highly suggest going to Dr. Wadhwa she is great!!

    Katharine Mauer

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