There is a lot of wisdom in the old saying, “You are what you eat.” Our bodies are tremendously impacted by what we consume and our teeth are certainly no exception.
FOODS AND DRINKS WE SHOULD AVOID OR LIMIT
The foods we think might be good for us and our oral health can be misleading.
Carbohydrates:
Many think that as long as we stay away from sweets, our teeth will be fine. The truth is that many other foods that contain natural sugars and carbohydrates can also feed the bacteria that causes tooth decay. These include: fruits, cookies, breads, and lots of the other good stuff in which most of us indulge. Of course I wouldn’t expect anyone to give these up, but I would recommend a course of moderation when consuming them, and being sure to brush or at very least chew gum or rinse, right after eating.
Sticky Foods:
Raisins, peanut butter and dried fruits are a double-whammy for our teeth. Not only does their sugar provide an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, but they literally ‘stick around’ and leave the teeth that much more susceptible to the dangers of decay.
Acidic Foods
Citrus (especially lemons), tomatoes, pineapple and other foods high in acid should be consumed with other less-acidic foods to help minimize their potentially harsh effects on teeth.
Some “Sugar-Free” Foods
If a packaging label reads “sugar-free”, read the fine print! While something may not contain sugar, it could contain a “natural sweetener” such as honey, cane sugar, fructose or molasses. While these ingredients are indeed all-natural, they are just as harmful as sugar to your teeth!
Soda Pop and Sports Drinks
These are highly acidic and full of sugar and in my opinion, should be completely eliminated from everyone’s diet or at very least, consumed in extreme moderation.
Juice
While juice contains many benefical vitamins, it is also extremely rich in sugar and is one of the leading causes of cavities in children. My suggestion to parents is to watch their kids’ juice intake carefully and reduce the risk by diluting juices with water.
FOODS AND DRINKS THAT OUR TEETH LOVE
Water
There are two major benefits of drinking water. It rinses away food residue that could otherwise be a breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria. And, in most cases, it contains fluoride to protect our children’s teeth.
Crunchy Foods
Sorry folks, but before you get too excited, this does not include nacho chips! The foods I’m talking about here are the firm fruits and veggies like apples, pears and celery. Although they too contain sugar, they also contain a lot of water which makes the sugar content more diluted. They physical action of crunching on them also helps wash away food particles. Nuts are also excellent for your teeth, as they stimulate saliva flow and clean as you crunch. It isn’t very appetizing, but dentists refer to this grouping as “detergent foods.”
Calcium-Rich Foods
When your body does not get enough Calcium, studies have shown that it can actually leech it out of your teeth. The jawbone is also very sensitive to Calcium levels and can be weakened when a Calcium deficiency is present. So indulge in milk, cheese, yogurt, and dark green vegetables like kale and broccoli!
Vitamin C
Studies have revealed that those who eat less than the recommended 60 mg per day of Vitamin C are 25 per cent more likely to have Gingivitis. Steven Deskin is a Dentist in general practice.
Steven Deskin is a Dentist in general practice.
