The Best and Worst Foods for Your Teeth

There has been a clear connection between dental and overall general health. It means if you have healthy teeth and gums, then most likely you have a healthy mind and soul. 

Taking care of teeth and gums takes a lot of care and attention. The one thing that can significantly impact your oral health is the kind of food you eat. Some feet invite tooth decay, while others help to fight plaque buildup.

What is inside our mouths?

In our mouths, a bustling microcosm unfolds. There are hundreds of bacterial varieties that inhabit our teeth, which makes it a complex ecosystem. While some bacteria contribute positively to oral health, others play a role in processes like tooth decay. This decay results from certain bacteria converting sugars in our food into acids, gradually forming cavities over time. Our mouths, therefore, harbor a dynamic balance of helpful and potentially harmful microorganisms, shaping the overall health of our oral environment.

What Goes on Inside Our Mouths All Day?

A continual battle unfolds within our mouths throughout the day. A dental plaque on one side is a sticky, transparent film of bacteria, foods, and beverages rich in sugar or starch (like milk, bread, cookies, candy, soda, and juice, among others). These bacteria convert them into acids whenever we consume sugar or starch. These acids initiate the erosion of the tooth's tough outer layer, known as enamel.

On the other hand, the team of minerals in our saliva and fluoride from toothpaste helps to repair enamel by replacing minerals lost during the acid attack. Our teeth go through the natural process of losing and getting minerals all day long.

Here are some foods to seek while staying away from others.

The Good foods for tooth and gums:

Fiber-rich vegetables and fruits: According to the American Dental Association, fiber food can help keep your teeth and gums clean and keep your saliva flowing. It is the best natural defense against cavities and gum disease. When you eat something that has sugar and starch, your saliva reduces the acids and enzymes. Saliva carries tiny amounts of calcium and phosphate, effectively replenishing minerals in teeth regions that may have experienced loss due to bacterial acids.

Cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products: Cheese is a good saliva maker. Milk, cheese, and other related dairy products contain calcium and phosphates, which help restore minerals lost from your teeth due to different foods. Additionally, they contribute to the rebuilding of tooth enamel.

Green and black teas: Green and black teas are rich in polyphenols that interact with plaque bacteria. They either diminish the growth of bacteria or kill them. It prevents the bacteria from producing acid that can harm the teeth. Depending on the water used to brew the tea, a cup can also serve as a source of fluoride.

Sugarless chewing gum: Sugarless chewing gum is an excellent saliva stimulator that helps eliminate food particles from your mouth.

Foods with fluoride: Flouride, such as fluoridated drinking water, contributes to dental health. It includes powdered juices (preferably low in sugar) and dehydrated soups. Commercially prepared foods like poultry products, seafood, and powdered cereals can also provide fluoride.

The Worst Foods for Your Teeth

1. Sour candies: 

Unsurprisingly, they are unhealthy for your mouth. But things can worsen when the candies are sour, as different acids are even tougher on your teeth.

They are also chewy, can stick to your teeth for longer, and are more likely to cause tooth decay. So the next time you crave sweets, it is better that 

you grab a square of chocolate instead, which you can wash easily.

2. Bread: 

Be mindful the next time you visit the supermarket bread aisle. While chewing the bread, your saliva breaks down the starch into sugar. When bread becomes chewy in your teeth, it becomes a paste-like substance that sticks between them. It can result in cavities.

So, when you crave carbohydrates, go for less processed options such as whole wheat. These choices have lower added sugar content and are less prone to quick breakdown.

3. Alcohol:

Saliva is crucial in maintaining oral health by preventing food particles from adhering to your teeth and washing away debris. Additionally, saliva aids in repairing early signs of tooth decay and other oral infections.

The absence of adequate saliva can create an environment conducive to bacteria growth and plaque formation. Beyond the well-known associations with liver and cardiovascular issues, drinking alcohol contributes to mouth dryness, which is necessary to keep your mouth dry.

4. Carbonated drinks: 

Regular consumption of soda and carbonated drinks exposes teeth to high sugar levels and acidity. Many of us know that soda can harm our teeth even when it is diet.

Carbonated sodas produce many acids; drinking them daily is like pouring your teeth into them. It also dries your saliva, which means you have less saliva.

5. Citrus fruits:

 While fruits are generally considered healthy, citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits can harm tooth enamel due to their high acidity. The acid content can erode the enamel over time, making teeth more susceptible to decay.

Potato Chips

While the satisfying crunch of a potato chip is undeniable, these snacks come with a downside. Loaded with starch, which converts into sugar, potato chips pose a risk to your dental health. The sugar becomes trapped on and between the teeth, providing a feast for bacteria in the plaque.

Since stopping at just one chip is rare, acid production from chip consumption lingers significantly. After indulging in this crunchy treat, it's advisable to floss to effectively remove the trapped particles and mitigate the potential for dental issues.

Dried Fruits

Although dried fruits seem like a healthy snack, appearances can be deceiving. Varieties such as apricots, prunes, figs, and raisins, among others, are sticky and can also be detrimental to dental health.

Taking extra precautions is essential if you're a fan of dried fruits. After consumption, rinse your mouth with water, followed by thorough brushing and flossing. Moreover, opting for the fresh versions of these fruits is a wise choice, as they are less concentrated with sugars, reducing the potential harm to your teeth.

Conclusion: 

Keeping your teeth in good shape takes a good commitment. But if you can go with it, the results will be great for your health and well-being. Limiting the wrong foods and beverages and supporting your dental health with regular brushing and checkups.

FAQ

1. Why is it important to pay attention to the foods we eat for our oral health?

• The foods we consume can significantly impact our oral health. Some foods promote tooth decay and gum disease, while others help combat plaque buildup and maintain healthy teeth and gums.

2. How do certain foods contribute to tooth decay?

• Tooth decay is often caused by bacteria in our mouths converting sugars and starches from our food into acids. These acids gradually erode the tooth enamel, leading to cavities.

3. What are some examples of foods that are good for teeth and gums?

• Good foods for dental health include fiber-rich vegetables and fruits, dairy products like cheese and yogurt, green and black teas, sugarless chewing gum, and foods with fluoride.

4. How do fiber-rich foods benefit oral health?

• Fiber-rich foods help keep teeth and gums clean and stimulate saliva production, which is a natural defense against cavities and gum disease.