Those conscious about their smile and dental health take several steps to maintain a healthy and bright smile. These measures include brushing and flossing teeth twice daily and using various dental procedures periodically. However, there’s one essential dental care tip that many people either do not know or ignore even if they know. It is choosing the foods and drinks that are beneficial for your dental health. Yes! Your diet has an impact on your oral health. Even if you take care of your teeth mindfully and regularly, your food choices can affect your teeth and gums. So, which are the best and worst foods and beverages for your teeth and what’s their effect on your dental health? Keep reading to know more.
Foods That Are Good for Your Teeth
- Leafy Greens
- Fruits
- Nuts
- Dairy Products
- Water
Vegetables should be a major portion of your diet as they provide essential vitamins and minerals that support saliva production. Saliva keeps your mouth clean naturally and protects your enamel. Spinach, kale, collard greens, cabbage, and lettuce are a few options to consider.
An apple a day keeps frequent visits to a dentist away, and so do other crisp fruits like pears and guavas. Biting and chewing these fruits make an effective workout that strengthens your teeth and gum. It also cleanses your teeth and gums by disrupting the growth of bacteria and plaque.
Nuts like cashew, almonds, walnuts, and groundnuts are packed with important nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, B-vitamins, Vitamin E, and zinc. They help fight bacteria and prevent tooth decay.
When it comes to nutrients, calcium and protein are your teeth’s best friends, and dairy products are their good source. First, unsweetened milk, yogurt, cheese, and whey help increase saliva production and promote cleansing in your mouth. Second, the high calcium and protein in dairy products help strengthen your teeth.
Water is akin to a panacea. It cleanses your body, including the mouth. So, keep sipping water throughout the day to prevent dry mouth, cavity-causing bacteria, gum disease, and bad breath.
Bad Foods for Your Teeth
Avoid or limit the consumption of the following foods and drinks for healthy teeth and gums:
- Citrus fruits
- Sugary foods
- Tea, Coffee, and Alcohol
Oranges, strawberries, lemons, and grapefruits have vitamin C and other antioxidants. However, they are acidic and can cause enamel erosion, making teeth more prone to decay. Eat citrus fruits in moderation and rinse your mouth thoroughly afterward.
Sugar, particularly its refined version, damages your oral health in more ways than one. It makes your mouth more acidic, causes enamel erosion, and attracts bad bacteria that lead to cavities, inflammation, and gum diseases. So, say no to candies, chocolates, cakes, cookies, and anything loaded with refined sugar.
Drinking sweetened tea and coffee not only damages your teeth but also leaves them stained and discolored. On the other hand, alcohol dehydrates your body and causes a dry mouth. It affects saliva production and impedes the natural cleansing of your mouth. Consequently, bacteria and plaque cling to your teeth, eroding them, turning them yellow, and causing bad breath.
Which other foods and drinks should make it to the list of worst and best foods for teeth?
Comment below and share your thoughts with us.