Is avocado good for your teeth? These days, avocados have become a trendy superfood. You see them everywhere. But actually, they are packed full of important vitamins and minerals that help strengthen and protect your teeth and gums. Avocado is among the best foods for your dental health.
How does avocado benefit my teeth?
Fight tooth decay:
The potassium that avocados have, much like bananas, helps fight tooth decay. If you don’t like bananas, avocados are a great option. Lack of potassium can contribute to tooth decay.
Avocados can act as a “nutrient booster” by helping increase the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D, K and E. Potassium helps in keeping your bones – and teeth – strong, which in turn reduces your risk of tooth decay. Like vitamin D, potassium improves bone mineral density.
Magnesium:
This one is two benefits for the price of one. Magnesium helps fight inflammation, so if you have inflamed gums, avocados can help. Magnesium can also help with the remineralization of your teeth. An avocado has as much as 15 percent of the recommended daily value of magnesium. Magnesium can help to prevent blood from becoming too acidic, which can leach calcium from your bones and teeth.
Folic Acid:
Folic Acid, or folate (Vitamin B9), helps to prevent gum disease and promote healthy cell and tissue development. Avocados are a good source of Folic Acid, which is especially important for pregnant women.
Several studies have shown that folic acid can reduce inflammation in the gums and make them more resilient to dental plaque and anaerobic bacteria, two of the leading causes in gum disease – tooth decay and bad breath.
Natural Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals (also called phytonutrients) are the nutrients you get from eating dark-colored fruits or vegetables. As a dark-colored fruit, avocados are rich in antioxidants that work to protect your gums and other body tissue from bacterial infection. The way it works is that avocados naturally contain probiotic bacteria, which is the good bacteria known to fight off harmful bacteria. When this good bacteria is introduced to your mouth, it helps maintain the right balance to ward off tooth decay and bad breath.
The rise of avocados is nothing to fear, especially since research has shown that avocados can play an important role in helping to keep your teeth healthy. Contact Capozzi Dental if you have any questions!
