The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Food For Your Teeth
Want to eat healthier food for your teeth? Find out which food will help keep your smile healthy."
When working to maintain your dental health it is important to know how everyday habits can help and harm your teeth. Part of that is knowing which foods you may be eating that promote dental health and those that doing damage. Below you will find five foods that are great for you teeth and five you should certainly limit or perhaps avoid all together.
Good
Cheese
Foods that generate salvia are good for your teeth because they are natural defenders against cavities and bacteria which can cause gum disease. The calcium in cheese puts essential minerals back in your mouth that you may have lost when eating other foods. Cheese also helps control your mouth’s acidity which prevents erosion by lowering the pH levels. Science shows that cheddar, mozzarella and Swiss cheese can help prevent tooth decay and having a bite after a snack food can help re-harden your teeth’s enamel.
Chicken/fish/other meat
Both chicken and fish have a healthy dose of vitamin B3, or niacin. Lacking this vitamin can cause canker sores, and loathsome bad breath. Fish also contains vitamin D which is important because without it you could develop burning mouth syndrome, a condition characterized by a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth and of course a burning sensation.
Nuts
All kinds of nuts are great for your teeth. Among them almonds, cashews, peanuts and walnuts have a host of great benefits that aid your dental health. Chewing cashews is a bit of a task, but that is great for your teeth. All the extra mastication produces extra salvia, neutralizing the streptococcus bacteria, thus fighting cavities. Peanuts and almonds are a good source of calcium which will help nourish your gums among other things, and walnuts contain magnesium, iron, niacin, thiamine, and phosphorus and at least five other essential minerals and vitamins that are necessary for your dental health and an overall healthy body.
Milk
Calcium is essential for strong and heathy bones and teeth so it is essential that you drink your milk. It isn’t just good for calcium because it is also a great source for vitamins D and K2 and your body can absorb those nutrients with ease putting them immediately to work. Milk can also protect against periodontal disease and prevent tooth-loss.
Fruits with high water content
There’s nothing like biting into a juicy apple and hearing that beautiful crispy crunch. Little did you know that crunch is an indication of the health benefits that particular fruit has for your teeth. Apples, pears and other water heavy fruits are great for your teeth because their excess water helps keep the gums and teeth clean and your mouth moist—which is a great defense against bad breath. In fact, apples are such an asset to your dental health that they have been called “nature’s toothbrush.”
Bad
Citrus fruits
The vitamin C in citrus fruits is great because without it you could experience bleeding gums which obviously isn’t good for your teeth. Too much, however, can cause the enamel on your teeth to erode because these fruits are very acidic. It is best to figure out how to eat them in moderation with consideration for both their benefits and their acidity. It is worth it to note that other good sources of vitamin C include broccoli, peppers, and tomatoes.
Sticky candy
Most food on this part of the list you will see that you can have in moderation and your teeth will be fine. Sticky candies oh-the-other-hand are a major NO NO! Lollipops, hard candies, gummies etc. are basically hardened drops of sugar which can cause your teeth to erode. Sticky and hard candies versus something like chocolate (which will is swallowed quickly) will spend more time in your mouth before swallowing it so these candies are especially good to avoid. They can cause cavities and chip teeth, not to mention the damage they do your pre-existing dental work like crowns, fillings and bridges. This isn’t to say never eat candy again, but keep your teeth in mind and be very wise about what you eat and how much.
Starchy foods
Soft starchy food get stuck in between your teeth and left unattended to cause you a world of dental problems. Potato chips, breads, pretzels etc., are best to eat only at meal times and not just to snack on. Bread stuck in your molars will likely sit there until you either brush it free or it breaks down naturally—that’s much too long to wait. The remaining particles turn into simple sugars in the mouth causing cavities and gum disease.
Sports and energy drinks
Aside from the damage these sugary drinks cause your body, they pose a major threat to your dental health. They are high in both sugar and acid and are best to be avoided. They can damage your enamel, cause tooth decay and are harmful to your gums. A recent study in General Dentistry showed that teeth enamel is “damaged after being exposed to sports drinks or energy drinks for just five days.” Considering that many people drink several a day or consume the extra-large versions of these drinks it is best to stay away from them all together. If you must have them, try to sip through a straw to reduce excessive direct contact with your teeth.
Alcohol
One of the main components in maintaining your dental health is making sure that your mouth is hydrated. Alcohol makes it hard to generate saliva which dries out your mouth and can lead to tooth decay. Not to mention that mixed drinks and sweet wines are sugary which promotes the erosion of your teeth’s enamel. Again drinking out of a straw is a good way to lessen the blow when consuming these drinks.
Dr. Allen Jahangiri is a Katy dentist and founder of Noble Smile family and cosmetic dentistry. He has mastered a number of techniques and procedures practiced only by the best and has an extensive knowledge and experience in the dentistry field.
Category: Dental
My hygienist recommended me brushing teeth with lemon juice and baking soda once in a while . Is that really OK, considering you are saying that citrus fruits are actually harmful ?
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