Regular brushing and flossing help keep teeth healthy by getting rid of sugars and food particles that team up with bacteria to form plaque. Plaque produces acid that damages tooth enamel, causes cavities and sets the stage for periodontal, or gum, disease.

Here are eight teeth-friendly foods that show promise.

Tea: Compounds called polyphenols, found in black and green teas, slow the growth of bacteria associated with cavities and gum disease. Tea undermines the ability of some bacteria to clump together with other bacteria, the researchers said.

Cheese: Cheese may neutralize the plaque acid. What's more, chewing increases saliva production.

Raisins: Naturally sweet, raisins don't contain sucrose, or table sugar. Sugar helps bacteria stick to the tooth surface, letting them produce plaque. Raisins are also a source of phytochemicals, which may kill cavity-causing plaque bacteria. Some compounds in raisins also affect the growth of bacteria associated with gum disease.

Crunchy foods: It takes serious chewing to break down foods such as carrots, apples and cucumbers. But all that crunching isn't in vain. Chewing may disturb dental plaque, and serve as a cleansing mechanism.

Vitamin-rich foods: Foods containing calcium, such as cheese, almonds and leafy greens, and foods high in phosphorous such as meat, eggs and fish can help keep tooth enamel strong and healthy, according to the American Dental Association.

Sugarless gum: Pop a stick in your mouth after eating. Chewing boosts saliva secretion, clearing away some bacteria. The keyword here is "sugarless." Bacteria rely on sucrose to produce plaque.

Milk: Milk neutralizes some of the acid produced by plaque bacteria. Drinking a glass of milk after eating a sweet dessert, like chocolate cake, may protect teeth, too.

Cranberries: Cranberries contain polyphenols (just as tea does), which may keep plaque from sticking to teeth, thus lowering the risk of cavities, according to a study published in the journal Caries Research.

(Source: http://www.livescience.com)