Best and worst foods for your teeth

We all know that consuming healthy food is good for weight loss and improves overall health. Often, we do not realise that there exists a direct relationship between diet and oral health.  

The food we consume can improve or disturb the health of our mouth, teeth, and gums. If there is poor oral hygiene, it can lead to cavities.  

Cavities are commonly found health problems caused by a poor diet which results in tooth decay.

Consuming sugar and carbohydrates from the food combines with the bacteria in the mouth and converts them into acid. This acid eats away the tooth enamel. The enamel is a hard covering on the teeth that acts as a protective layer.

When cavities are formed, it not only causes problems like bad breath and can result in problematic oral health issues like tooth decay.  

Consuming high calcium and phosphorus food can help remineralise the holes caused by cavities.  

What is the best food for oral health?

The health of a person largely depends on the food he chooses to consume. To keep ourselves healthy, we need to consume healthy food. This fact doesn’t change with oral health.  

Consuming sugary foods or fizzy drinks develop tooth decay. Some of the healthy foods to improve the health of the mouth are as follows.

Cheese

Turophiles, are about to feel happy reading further. Anyone who loves cheese now has another reason to relish this food.  

Consuming cheese can raise the pH level in the mouth and lower the risk of developing tooth decay. When a person chooses to eat cheese, it increases saliva production in the mouth, which can also fight against tooth decay.

Cheese is a dairy product containing calcium, protein and other essential nutrients that can strengthen the tooth enamel, decreasing the chances of cavities.  

Yoghurt  

Just like cheese, yoghurt is a dairy product high in calcium and protein, which makes it a good choice for improving the strength of the teeth.  

Moreover, the probiotics found in yoghurt will also benefit the gums and the stomach. Opting for plain variety without added sugar can be beneficial for overall health.  

Green leafy vegetables

Green leafy vegetables are one of the most healthy foods a person can consume. Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, leafy vegetables like spinach and kale can improve oral health.

Apple 

Apple is sweet and also fibrous. Apple contains water. Consuming apples can increase saliva production in the mouth, which can help rinse away bacteria and food particles.  

A layer of fibrous texture present in the apples will stimulate gums.  

Consuming apples at the end of meals can give the mouth a good scrubbing at the end, preventing germ accumulation.

Carrots

Carrots are crunchy and packed with fibre. Consuming raw carrots increases saliva production in the mouth.  

Carrots offer a good source of vitamin A. These bright-coloured vegetables are best for the eyes and oral health.

Celery

Celery is full of water and is a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. These antioxidants give the body a good dose of health, including gum health.  

Celery is an excellent choice of snack as it is low in calories.  

Almonds

Almonds are good for improving overall health and benefit the teeth, as they offer a good source of calcium and protein. Almonds can be a great choice of snack.

Brushing twice a day and eliminating certain food or drinks to keep the mouth healthy is vital.  

The food to avoid for healthy teeth and gums is as follows

Sore candies 

Candies are branded as unhealthy for a long time. They contain various acids that can damage the teeth. Due to their chewy and sticky nature, they remain on the teeth for a longer time, leading to tooth decay.

Switching candies with chocolates can prevent tooth damage to an extent as they can be easily rinsed the way from the mouth.  

Bread

Consuming bread can offer few health benefits. However, it is not as good as it is for oral health. When we consume bread, the saliva breaks it down into sugar. Also, when the bread becomes a paste-like substance, it can stick to the teeth, which can cause cavities.  

Alcohol

It is a known fact that consuming alcohol is not beneficial for the health and may cause harm to it.  

But many people do not know the fact that consuming alcohol will dry out the mouth. A dry mouth lacking saliva can damage the teeth as saliva is essential in keeping them healthy.  

Carbonated drinks

Consuming large quantities of carbonated drinks can damage the teeth and corrode the enamel. Carbonated soda produces more acid and leads to tooth erosion. These sodas can discolour the teeth and affect the person’s overall health.

Ice

Who would have thought ice would be on this list. It’s just water, right? So, it should be all fine! But according to the American Dental Association, it is not. Chewing hard substances will damage the tooth enamel and make a person more prone to dental emergencies.  

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges, and lemons can be a treat and offer a good amount of vitamin C to the body. However, they are acidic in nature, and the acid content present in them will erode the tooth enamel.  

Moreover, the acid in citrus can be troublesome for people with mouth sores. It is necessary to rinse the mouth after consuming citrus fruits or drinks.  

Potato chips

Potato chips contain a high amount of starch. The starch is converted into sugar and gets trapped in between the teeth.

The acid production from the chips will last for a while in the teeth. Therefore, it is essential to floss and remove the trapped food particles. Next time remember the damage chips causes to the teeth before you grab a packet.

Dried fruits

Dried fruits are undoubtedly a healthy snack, but restricting their consumption is advised when it comes to oral health.  

Dried fruits like apricot, figs, and raisins can be sticky and cling to the teeth. This property of dried fruits can leave traces of sugar that can harm the teeth.  

Other foods

Consuming drinks like coffee, tea, soda and sports drinks is unhealthy for the teeth.  

Consuming food for health is as essential as not consuming them to deteriorate health. To maintain proper oral health, a person must consume food that is good for teeth.  

Consuming food that contains calcium, vitamin C, magnesium and phosphorus is good for the teeth and can reverse tooth decay.  

Usually, cavities are caused by food containing starch or refined carbohydrates converted as sugar. Eliminating foods that contain sugar can be beneficial in healing cavities.  

To sum up

Taking care of overall health includes restricting food or drinks that can disturb physical and oral health.  

Eliminating soda, alcoholic beverages, candies and sugary and acidic foods can help oral health.

Frequent visits to a dentist can help a person understand teeth and gum health.  

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