Good and Bad Foods for Your Teeth

A tooth is a living structure, and all living things require a supply of nutrients for better growth and development. It is, therefore, essential to maintain proper nutrition.

Teeth-friendly foods

Below are some of the healthy foods you should try to improve your oral health.

• Milk
• Apples
• Cheese
• Celery
• Carrots
• Almonds
• Veggies

Apples

Apples are sweet and have high fiber content in them. When you eat them, the saliva produced in your mouth washes away food particles and bacteria while the fibrous texture massages the gums.

Milk

The proteins and calcium found in it help strengthen the enamel. When fermented, milkforms yogurt, which contains useful bacteria that also improve digestion in the gut.Phosphorus present in milk also strengthensyour teeth.

Cheese

Research conducted by the American Academy of General Dentistry has shown that cheese raises pH in the mouth when consumed, lowering the chances of a decayed tooth. To the people who love cheese, this gives you more reasons to enjoy this food. It also contains elementssuitable for the tooth enamel.

Veggies

With low amounts of calories, greens are ideal for you due to their richness in minerals and vitamins. Green leafs such as spinach and kales contain a type of vitamin B known as folic acid, which known to treat gum disease in expectant mothers.

Almonds

Almonds arehealthy for your teeth because they are low in sugar, rich in proteins, and are also a source for calcium.

Aside from eating healthy, brush your teeth,maintain good oral hygiene, and visit a dentist every once in a while for a check-up.

Foods unhealthy for your teeth

Dentists have warned of how poor dietingsignificantly contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. A major contributing factor is a plaque which is caused by most foods. When bacteria break down sugar, the acid produced attacks the enamel causingdental cavities. Cavities are known to bring discomfort because of the pain they induce.

To avoid plaque formation, avoid taking the following beverages and foodstuff:

• Carbonated drinks
• Potato chips
• Alcohol
• Ice
• Sour candies
• Citrus
• Dried fruits

Dried fruits

Dry fruits are good for your health, but what you do not know is that they are bad for your teeth. Many of these fruits are sticky and get stuck in the tooth. A lot of sugar is left behind, which attracts the presence of harmful bacteria. As a precautionary measure, use water to rinse your mouth after eating one.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol dries out the saliva in your mouth. Saliva washes away particles and prevents them from getting stuck in the crevices.To be on the safer side, drink water in plenty after taking any alcoholic drink.

Potato chips

The crunchy sound of crushing potato chips is appealing to many people. But they tend to get trapped, and the starch in them turns to sugar, which is food for bacteria. After enjoying a bag, take time to floss and remove trapped particles.

Ice

Research published by the American Dental Association confirmed that chewing ice is wrong and can make you experience dental emergencies. Frost is hard, and hard substances damage the enamel and can lead to a cracked or broken tooth. It is okay to use ice on beverages to enjoy a cold drink. However, chewing on it is ill-advised.

Carbonated drinks

Recent studies have proved that taking carbonated soda in excess damages your teeth in a similar way as compared to using crack cocaine. Apart from drying your mouth, there is more production of acids by plaque which attacks your teeth’s enamel. They also cause discoloration, especially dark-colored soda.

Sour candies

If you have cravings for sweets, sour candy is not your best option. This is because the acids produced by these snacks are more damaging compared to other varieties.

Citrus

The acid content found in grapes, lemons, and oranges makes your teeth vulnerable to decay because of how good they are in eroding enamel from your teeth. Eat them in moderation.

Conclusion

Taking care of our teeth is a hard task without the right information. It is, therefore, wise to consume teeth-friendly foods.

If you require the services of a dentist, the Compassion Smiles Dentistry located in Coppell has you covered. Visit our clinic today to receive treatment for any dental condition.