Enjoy these foods and beverages that have been shown to promote good oral health:

• Green tea:  University of Illinois-Chicago (USA) researchers found that drinking green tea reduced the number of bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath.  In a separate study, Pace University (USA) scientists found that flavorids, a compound in green tea, work with the germ killers in toothpaste and mouthwash, boosting their effectiveness at warding off viruses and preventing cavities.

• Black tea: A study by the Vivekananda Institute (India) reported in 2005 that people who drank black tea for one year had a reduced risk of developing oral cancer. 

• Cranberry juice:  Researchers at the University of Rochester (USA) have shown that cranberry juice helps to stop bacteria from sticking to teeth, thereby preventing the formation of plaque (the cause of tooth decay and gum disease). Separate research by a team at University of Illinois-Chicago (USA) found that cranberry juice interfered with the viability and growth of oral pathogens.

• Raisins: In 2005, University of Illinois-Chicago (USA) researchers found that two compounds in raisins were successful in fighting bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities and gum disease.

In the United States, one in seven adults aged 35 to 44 years has gum disease; this increases to one in every four adults aged 65 years and older. ~ U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention