Tooth Decay Prevented by Some Foods

Courtesy ThirdAge - Stephanie Sajor

Tooth decay can be prevented by some foods, according to researchers at Western  Dental, a dental HMO and provider of dental services in California, Arizona and Nevada.

"The bacteria that contribute to tooth decay, Streptococcus mutans, feed on the sucrose -- the sugar -- that we eat," Louis Amendola, Western Dental's chief dental director, said in a statement. "As they multiply, the bacteria release acids that lead to tooth decay."

The researchers suggest eating or drinking the following foods:

-Eat sugar-free chewing gum brands. They have the sweetener xylitol which improves dental health.

-Drink green or black tea. They help produce chemicals in the mouth that prevents plaque from forming on the tooth enamel.

-Drink fluoridated tap water

-Eat cheese for dessert. Cheese reduces enamel demineralization and helps flush away sugars by increasing saliva flow.

-Crispy fruits and vegetables. They help protect teeth by increasing saliva flow and stimulating the gums.