4 foods that help diabetics enjoy better oral health

If you have diabetes, maintaining proper oral health should be an important part of your daily routine. Indeed, there's an interesting relationship between diabetes and gum disease. Challenges with controlling your blood sugar can result in the increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

With high blood sugar levels, larger deposits of plaque and tartar are likely to build up in your teeth. This can, in turn, lead to the higher risk of cavities and tooth decay. The opposite effect is also true, where high sugar deposits in the teeth can make it harder for you to control your blood sugar.

Being proactive is one of the best ways of ensuring proper oral health when you have diabetes. The four foods highlighted below will help you strengthen your teeth and gums for better oral health (while keeping your blood sugar under control).

1. Milk

Drinking a glass of milk after a meal can help neutralise acidic build-up in your teeth. Bacteria present in your mouth tend to oxidise sugars into acid. These acids corrode your enamel and accumulate in your gums over time.

Because high sugar levels in the teeth are particularly problematic for diabetics, a glass of milk after each meal will keep acid levels under control. Milk is particularly useful after you've just had a meal that's high in sugar.

2. Raisins

Raisins double up as snacks and meal options that are healthy for your teeth. Because they're naturally sweet, they don't contain artificial flavours that stick to the teeth.

If you're craving a snack, raisins are a healthier option than other sugar-rich foods. They control plaque from building up in your gums, thus making your teeth healthier over time.

3. Eggs

Because they're rich in protein, eggs help your teeth become stronger and healthier. Indeed, regularly having eggs for breakfast will strengthen your gums, enamel and blood vessels.

With stronger teeth, you will reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Eggs also decrease inflammation and make you more sensitive to insulin.

4. Cheese

As a low acid food, cheese helps reduce sugar build-up in your teeth. Cheese works in a similar manner to milk because it neutralises acidic levels during or after a meal.

If you eat a slice or two of cheese after a sugar-rich meal, you can reduce the amount of acid that will accumulate in your gums and teeth. This will, in turn, limit the build-up of plaque in your gums and reduce the risk of gum disease.

Get in touch with a local dentist for more information.