It is common knowledge that brushing our teeth retains their health and keeps them clean.
Yet the foods we ingest can seriously impact the health of our mouth as well. Most of us are following an extensive routine when it comes to the care of our teeth.
We brush, floss and even use mouthwash on a daily basis to ensure that our teeth are clean and free of plaque. Many people seem to assume that this is the best and only way to conduct their oral hygiene.
However, the foods we eat also play a vital role regarding the condition of our teeth. Some foods have proven to be quite beneficial and help keeping our mouth and jaw healthy, while others can cause various teeth, mouth, and gum issues.
Listed below you will find out which foods are good and bad for the health of your teeth as well as the reasons behind those facts:
Good foods for your teeth
This section compiles a list of foods many dentists and scientists believe to promote and retain the condition of your teeth and overall mouth health:
Sugarless chewing gum: Chewing gum does not only “train” your jaw but produces a lot of saliva as well which helps to remove food particles from your mouth, leaving your teeth clean. However, always ensure that it is sugarless.
Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables: According to the University of Rochester, foods that are high in fiber assist in keeping your teeth and gums clean. Due to their crunchy texture, they will rub against your teeth while you chew, clearing any food particles that still may have lingered on them. Furthermore, you produce saliva once again, which reduces the effects of acids and enzymes on your teeth.
Foods with fluoride: You surely have already seen or heard of toothpaste with fluoride in them; an ingredient that is known to help prevent cavities in teeth. Furthermore, foods that contain fluoride can help preserve the health of your teeth and gums. Black tea, various fruit juices, crab, shrimp, and even wine count among the different foods that contain fluoride.
Bad foods for your teeth
Below is a list of foods that can harm your teeth and which you should try to avoid if possible:
Sticky candy and sweets: If you are going to indulge in sweets, ensure to eat some that do not require to stay in your mouth for too long but can be swallowed quickly. One of the greatest evils to patients and dentists alike is sticky candy which gets stuck in your mouth and can potentially harm your teeth.
Starchy foods: Any foods containing starch, such as potato chips, can get stuck in your teeth and damage them.
Substances that dry out your mouth: These result in your mouth not producing saliva which can lead to a potential hazard since saliva helps to clear food particles from your mouth; without it these food particles will just stay on your teeth. Alcohol is known to dry out your mouth which is why it is advisable to try limiting your intake.
Carbonated soft drinks: Such drinks contain a huge amount of sugar and many children are drinking far too many sodas. This large amount of sugar will cause tooth decay, which can be incredibly painful.
Make sure you take advice from your dentist
Consuming the wrong foods can lead to caries or other serious damages that oftentimes require a dentist to fix them before they get even worse. In addition, it can dim your smile which is considered to be one of our most precious features. However, according to specialist Dr Inna Silman, “the brilliance can be returned to your smile in just hours”, thanks to innovative procedures used in her practice such as Zoom! Teeth Whitening. It is crucial that you consult your dentist, especially if you wish to change your diet so that your teeth can stay healthy for as long as possible. A dentist will be able to guide you through the process of changing what you eat on a regular basis and give you expert advice on how to look after your teeth properly.