The teeth are absolutely involved in food consumption, and it may just be fair on one`s health to be mindful of the kind of food they make the teeth encounter. So, here is the main question here: Do you just eat, or are you particular about your dental health when you eat? It is not enough to brush twice daily, floss regularly, and visit the dentist twice a year; of which some people are not even mindful of these steps to general dental care. To such people, being mindful of food and drink intake is even secondary.
Food Intake and Dental Health: What`s the Connection?
The teeth, like other parts of the body, need certain nutrients to survive. Do you eat foods rich in calcium, vitamins A and D, phosphorous and fiber? Congratulations then, as you`re on the right path to an amazing dental health. What`s more? Foods that generate saliva and require some intense crunching are also beneficial, as they help get rid of decay and stains on teeth.
What Foods Don`t Support Dental Health?
White Bread
Asides its level of calories and refined carbohydrates, white bread is pretty terrible for the teeth. It sticks into the crevices of the teeth, and this could be bacteria-causing. What’s more? After chewing, the bread’s enzymes are converted to sugar, and this is unsafe for dental health.
Potato Chips
Starchy foods such as potato chips get stuck between the teeth. The starch and mushy texture of potato chips are the reasons it gets trapped between the teeth for a long time. Rinsing the mouth with water and flossing removes trapped debris after eating potato chips.
Sports Drinks
Some sports drinks contain as high as 13 teaspoons of sugar, causing terrible havoc to the teeth. Another problem with sports drinks is that they’re highly acidic, in fact, more acidic than soda, hence, eroding teeth enamel.
Citrus
Oranges, grapefruits, and lemons, as tasty and nourishing as they are, have acid content that can erode the enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to decay. Rinsing the mouth immediately after consuming them reduces their damaging effect on the teeth.
Coffee
Caffeinated coffee and tea dry out the mouth. Drinking them frequently may cause stains on the teeth. Drinking a lot of water after consuming them goes a long way in reducing their negative effects. Also, try to add less sugar.
Popcorn
Who doesn’t love snacking on popcorn? It’s a cool way to keep busy at the cinema, however, it’s not a good way to show the teeth some love. This is because they get trapped between the teeth, hence promoting bacteria growth. Unpopped ones are even worse, as because they are too hard, and can damage the enamel.
Pickles
Here’s high acidity in form of a sandwich topper. The vinegar content in pickles which gives the sour flavor contributes to its acidic content. If you have to wave pickles at all, rinse your mouth immediately after.
Sour Candies
Everybody knows the negative effects of candy, however, not many know that sour candy is even worse, as it contains acids that are tougher on the teeth. Why else are they worse? They stick to the teeth for a longer time because they’re chewy — this gives them more time to cause decay. Do you crave candy so badly? Chocolate is closer to a safe zone. Remember to rinse your mouth immediately after chewing.
Wine
Wine colors the teeth, and this is worrisome. Because its an alcohol, wine dries the mouth and makes the teeth sticky. This brings about stains. Red and white wines are highly acidic. Red wine stains the teeth, while white wine is more acidic.
Peanut Butter and Jelly
The stickiness of these foods make the unfriendly to the teeth, and bacteria-causing too.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are acidic, and this makes them unhealthy for the teeth. Eating them as a part of a meal minimizes the danger. Drinking some water after eating them reduces their danger too.
Foods that Support Dental Health
Garlic
Garlic contains allicin, which produces a powerful antimicrobial effect. This makes it effective in preventing periodontal diseases.
Onions
Now, this sounds really strange, doesn’t it? Onions? Even with their terrible smell? Well, funnily, they’re essential for dental health. Their antibacterial property and sulfur content make them fit for dental health.
Milk
Milk lowers the level of acid in the mouth and combats gum decay.
Green Tea
Green tea has got fluoride and polyphenols that kill odor-causing bacteria and toxins in the mouth. People who drink green tea regularly have a lower possibility of experiencing periodontal disease than people who don’t.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Mushrooms contain natural sugar that stops the development of plaque on the teeth.
Celery
This vegetable is suitable for oral hygiene. Raw celery, in particular, is preferable because its crunchy fibrous stalk enhances the production of more saliva and it also neutralizes the bacteria that cause cavities in the teeth.
Cheese
Dairy products are a rich source of calcium and are splendid for oral health. Cheese reduces the build-up of plaque by reducing the level of acid in the mouth. Some hard cheeses even act as mouth washing substance because they wash off most of the non-floral bacterial from your mouth. So choose hard cheese over its soft variety.
Raisins
Made from dried grapefruit, raisins contain compounds such as oleanolic acid that combat tooth decay and gum disease by inhibiting the bacterial production in the mouth.
Kiwi
Kiwi has a high amount of vitamin C. It strengthens the teeth and prevents microorganisms that cause periodontal diseases.
Cranberries
Cranberries contain anthocyanins that avoid toxins. Cranberry juice can be used as a mouth washing agent to keep various oral diseases away. It’s also got some anti-inflammatory properties that deal with the periodontal disease. What’s more? It produces enzymes that degrade the formation of biofilm and cellular matrix. It also holds some anti-cancerous properties that hinder the production of acid in the mouth.
Nuts
Nuts enable the mouth to fight bacteria that cause gum decay.
Yogurt
Yogurt is rich in protein and calcium. It keeps the teeth active and healthy. It contains a probiotic bacterium that fights harmful bacteria, and all of these have a healthy effect on the gums. Avoid adding sugar to yogurt, to achieve the best results.
Carrots
These crunchy vegetables contain loads of essential nutrients, and in addition, enable the mouth to produce more saliva. This is essential for digestion. Carrots also hinder the formation of cavities in teeth.
More about Tooth Decay
When the teeth are left to undergo the awful experience of bacteria, they suffer terrible consequences, as these bacteria could hang on to the teeth to form a sticky film called dental plaque. This is what leads to tooth decay. Tooth decay destroys the enamel, a vital part of our teeth that strengthens and defends them. Tooth decay can affect anyone, notwithstanding their age.
Final Words…
Dental health is one area that needs more attention that it gets. It seems difficult to keep up with healthy standards for maintaining healthy teeth and general oral hygiene. Everyone needs to do more than regular to keep up with dental health standards. Are you ready for what it takes? Begin by consuming healthy meals.
