Berries are a delicious, healthy way to add a variety of vitamins and minerals as well as water and fiber to your diet. Many berries are even considered superfoods because they contain powerful antioxidants that can help reduce your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and other medical conditions. But did you know that berries also have important benefits for your oral health?

Polyphenols Prevent Tooth Decay

New research has shown that dark-colored berries such as blueberries and cranberries contain compounds that can protect your teeth from decay-causing bacteria. These natural antioxidant compounds, known as polyphenols, prevent harmful bacteria from attaching to your teeth and gums, thus reducing the risk of plaque buildup, tooth decay, and even gum disease. The polyphenols in cranberries specifically are known to linger in our saliva after swallowing, meaning that they continue to be beneficial to our teeth beyond just while we are eating the berries. Researchers have even begun experimenting with extracting polyphenols from dark-colored berries for use in oral health care products. The extracts themselves are sugar-free, meaning that they could be added to products like toothpastes and mouthwashes without introducing any counterintuitive sugar.

Proanthocyandins Can Protect Against Gum Disease

In addition to polyphenols, blueberries also contain other antioxidants known as proanthocyandins, or PACs. Studies have shown that PACs are effective at protecting your teeth from a certain strain of bacteria that is responsible for aggressive forms of gum disease. These antioxidants also protect immune cells in our mouths called oral macrophages, and can decrease inflammation, which is another factor in the development of gum disease.

Adding Berries to Your Diet

Consuming blueberries, cranberries, and other antioxidant-rich berries is beneficial to your oral and overall health. However, it is important to note that like any fruit, berries contain natural sugars that can still be damaging to your teeth in high amounts. If you want to add berries to your diet, try eating them in moderation, as a component of your meals rather than on their own.

Contact our offices in Milwaukie, Oregon City, or our Mobile Dental Clinic to learn more about how you can prevent tooth decay and gum disease.