Why your teeth matter, too!

Your teeth don’t get enough credit for the work they do. Besides giving you a beautiful smile, they also help break down your food to ease digestion, and even act as the first line of defence against what goes into your stomach.

When you neglect your teeth, you increase your risk of IBS and gastrointestinal disorders. Tooth loss is associated with higher risk of IBS/IBD.¹https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25623278/

So here are some of the best ways to improve your dental health – and your gut! 

1. Eat and drink probiotic foods (like Kefir) – 

We talk a LOT about your gut microbiome – but what about all the bacteria living within your mouth? Your mouth contains a delicate ecosystem of bacteria too. This helps protect against pathogens, food and whatever else gets put into your mouth.

The best way to maintain healthy bacteria is by eating probiotic-rich food and drinks like kefir and kimchi. These add beneficial bacteria to your mouth to help keep everything in check. Lactobacillus, which you’ll find in our Kefir, can also help with gum disease and reduce plaque.²https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/probiotics-gum-disease

2. Chew your food thoroughly!

The act of mindfully chewing food is great for your teeth. Chewing stimulates saliva production, which will naturally clean your teeth. This can also help remineralise your teeth –  protecting them after you eat acidic or sweet foods.³https://www.tandaradental.com.au/are-you-paying-attention-to-how-you-eat-is-there-a-right-way-to-chew-your-food/

This can also help you digest your food better, so it’s a win-win for your body!⁴https://www.healthline.com/health/how-many-times-should-you-chew-your-food

3. Keep it clean –

Regular brushing and flossing is the best step to keeping your perfect smile. You should also be visiting your dentist for regular check-ups. This helps to keep an eye on your teeth and gums and resolve any infections that might appear. If you haven’t seen your dentist recently, this is your reminder to book in!

If you need something to start chewing on – check out some of our latest summer recipes: Cool as a Cuke – Recipes here!

References

• 1
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25623278/
• 2
  https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/probiotics-gum-disease
• 3
  https://www.tandaradental.com.au/are-you-paying-attention-to-how-you-eat-is-there-a-right-way-to-chew-your-food/
• 4
  https://www.healthline.com/health/how-many-times-should-you-chew-your-food

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