Good for your teeth
Hummus is good for your teeth, too
Everyone knows that brushing your teeth prevents cavities, but according to the Health Ministry, the foods you eat also affect dental hygiene
Humus, tehina, cheese and avocados have more than just protein, they are good for your teeth too. According to the Health Ministry, these foods prevent sugars from sticking to the teeth and can minimize the risk of cavities, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
Health Minister Yaakov Edri encouraged public awareness of dental hygiene Tuesday, owing to "alarming statistics showing that some 50 percent of Israeli children have cavities. I have therefore directed that special emphasis be put on the matter from a young age."
The Dental Health Department recommends high consumption of water, unsweetened milk, natural yogurt, and raw fruits and vegetables, as well as breads enriched with dietary fibers, popcorn, nuts and seeds. Sugarless gum should not be chewed for longer than 10 minutes, dentists say, because it damages the jaw.
On the other hand, artificially sweetened soft drinks, milk-based beverages, yogurts, natural fruit juices, chocolates, biscuits, cakes and cookies, sugared dried fruits and foods stored in sweetened syrup greatly increase the risk of cavities and should be consumed minimally.
For those suffering from dry mouth, the ministry recommends sucking small chips of ice or chewing sugar-free gum to increase salivation. Soft moist foods, such as eggs, soups and pastas in sauce are good for those suffering from canker sores, and chronic vomiters are advised to rinse their mouths with a solution of baking soda, salt and warm water.
