I’m always trying to think of ideas to write about for this blog. This morning, when I pulled a carrot out of a bag of baby carrots that reminded me of a molar with roots (see photo), I saw it as a sign to write about carrots and dental health!
Carrots have long been known to protect eyesight. That’s because of their high vitamin A content. There are 10,191 IU (3,057.3 micrograms) of vitamin A in a medium-sized carrot, 3.4 times the Recommended Daily Intake for vitamin A. But did you know that carrots also help protect the health of your mouth?
Firm and crunchy, carrots help clean our teeth. The abrasive nature of carrots when we chew them helps to remove dirt and plaque from our teeth and gums, which reduces the risk of developing cavities and helps keep our gums healthy.
Minerals in carrots help prevent tooth decay by killing harmful germs in your mouth. And studies found that flavonoid compounds in carrots help protect against cancer of the mouth.
Carrots increase the amount of saliva produced in your mouth. The harder you chew, the more saliva your mouth produces. Saliva benefits dental health in several ways. Saliva keeps your mouth moist and comfortable, and helps you chew, taste, and swallow. By keeping your mouth from becoming dry (dry mouth), saliva helps keep germs from taking hold, preventing bad breath, rapid tooth decay, and gum disease. Furthermore, proteins and minerals in saliva protect and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. By clearing food particles, saliva reduces the risk of developing cavities. Plus, saliva removes stains on teeth and helps keep dentures securely in place.
Baby carrots make great quick and easy snacks. Have you had your carrots today?
Resources
Carrots have long been known to protect eyesight. That’s because of their high vitamin A content. There are 10,191 IU (3,057.3 micrograms) of vitamin A in a medium-sized carrot, 3.4 times the Recommended Daily Intake for vitamin A. But did you know that carrots also help protect the health of your mouth?
Firm and crunchy, carrots help clean our teeth. The abrasive nature of carrots when we chew them helps to remove dirt and plaque from our teeth and gums, which reduces the risk of developing cavities and helps keep our gums healthy.
Minerals in carrots help prevent tooth decay by killing harmful germs in your mouth. And studies found that flavonoid compounds in carrots help protect against cancer of the mouth.
Carrots increase the amount of saliva produced in your mouth. The harder you chew, the more saliva your mouth produces. Saliva benefits dental health in several ways. Saliva keeps your mouth moist and comfortable, and helps you chew, taste, and swallow. By keeping your mouth from becoming dry (dry mouth), saliva helps keep germs from taking hold, preventing bad breath, rapid tooth decay, and gum disease. Furthermore, proteins and minerals in saliva protect and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. By clearing food particles, saliva reduces the risk of developing cavities. Plus, saliva removes stains on teeth and helps keep dentures securely in place.
Baby carrots make great quick and easy snacks. Have you had your carrots today?
Resources