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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Nicola Down

Crunching on carrots and snacking after dinner: the culinary secrets to a healthy mouth

Cropped shot of an unidentifiable young man eating a carrot in his kitchen at home
Crunchy veg like carrots and celery are high in nutrients but low in sugar. Photograph: PeopleImages/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Almost two thirds of us try to choose the “healthier” option when we’re eating and drinking – picking cereal bars instead of chocolate, for instance, or opting for fizzy citrus waters rather than sugary sodas. But the truth is that many of our everyday food choices – including the ostensibly better ones – can end up contributing to teeth and gum issues.

“What you eat, when you eat it, and whether you effectively clean away any debris makes a big difference in how much plaque builds up in your mouth,” says Elaine Tilling, clinical education and product manager at TePe, a brand that specialises in products that help keep mouths healthy. “A buildup of plaque can lead to tooth decay, and the bacteria from it can also cause gum disease.”

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