Here’s what to eat to support healthier mouth bacteria

For instance, Wu's research and that of others has shown that the polyphenols found in tea can suppress the "bad" oral bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease and stop them from clumping together and attaching to the surface of teeth."Within the broader family of these sugar loving microbes, Streptococcus, there are some [bacteria] that don't produce much acid at all, and they'll actually attack some of the microbes that do produce acid," says Laura Weyrich, an associate professor of anthropology and bioethics at Pennsylvania State University who studies the oral microbiome.

A varied diet rich in vegetables and other minimally processed plant foods, combined with good oral hygiene and regular dental care, is a more reliable way to support a healthy mouth.