Even those who do not study dentistry know that the basis of a healthy smile is brushing and flossing, however, what you eat is also a very influential factor. Oral health and diet are inextricably linked. Each bite and swallow you make either feeds your teeth and gums or preconditions decay and sensitivity and gum disease. Knowing what foods impact the oral health might mean the difference between a bright and healthy smile and an expensive visit to the dentist.
The Link Between Diet and Dental Health
Everything you eat enters through your mouth and this means that your mouth is the first thing to be struck by whatever you are taking. The tooth enamel is one of the hardest substances in human body. However, it can be susceptible to factors such as acid, sugars or physical forces. When you take harmful foods and beverages, they interact with the bacteria to erode your enamel.
Moreover, poor nutrition will make your body weak. Therefore, it will struggle to fight infection such as gingivitis and gum disease. On the other side, a healthy diet consisting of the appropriate vitamins and minerals actively contributes to the health of your gums, the strengthening of the tooth structure, and even the secretion of saliva of your mouth as a natural defense mechanism.
Foods and Drinks That Are Bad for Your Teeth
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Sugar
Sugar is the number one dietary enemy of your teeth. When you eat or drink something with sugar in it, the bacteria in your mouth live off of that sugar and release acid as a byproduct. This acid will attack your enamel as long as 20 minutes after exposure. This process is repeated all day and the result is a toothed rotting recipe.
The largest offenders are:
- Sweets, candies and chocolates.
- Fizzy and carbonated soft drinks.
- Flavoured energy drinks and juices.
- Cakes, biscuits and pastries.
The harmfulness of sugar is especially in its frequency of consumption. Slowly sipping a sweet beverage during more than an hour does far more harm than consuming it in a short period, as your teeth are exposed to prolonged attack by acid.
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Acidic Foods
Acidity can alone erode tooth enamel even in the absence of sugar. The wrong mix to be made is acidic food and teeth, the acid weakening enamel, teeth are prone to sensitivity, discolouration and cavities.
Examples of common acidic foods and beverages to be restricted include:
- Citrus fruits (lemons, limes, grapefruits)
- Vinegar condiments and pickles.
- Wine and alcohol
- Coffee and tea (with sugar added)
- Tomatoes and tomato ketchup
This does not imply that you should do away with them all, most of them are healthy. The trick is to wash it with water after and wait at least half an hour before brushing, because brushing after exposure to the acid may lead to further loss of enamel.
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Sticky and Starchy Foods
Dried fruits, toffees and gummy sweets are all sticky foods that leave your teeth covered after you have finished eating, which gives the bacteria additional time to make acid. Equally, starchy foods – crisps, white bread, crackers – dissolve into simple sugars in the mouth and are wedged between teeth and support the growth of bacteria.
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Alcohol
Alcohol makes the mouth dry and slows down the saliva. Saliva is vital in the sense that it neutralises the acid and sweeps away food particles. The dry mouth provides the bacteria with an environment where bacteria proliferate, thus making it more likely to cause decay and bad breath.
Best Foods for Oral Health
In the same way that there are foods that are harmful to your teeth, there are also foods that actively protect and strengthen your teeth. A good investment towards your long-term dental health is focusing on nutrition towards having strong teeth.
- Dairy products – Milk, cheese and yoghurt contain high level of calcium and phosphates which remineralise the enamel and build up the teeth. Saliva is also induced by cheese.
- Leafy greens – Spinach, kale, and broccoli are rich in calcium, folic acid, and vitamins, which are good to maintain the health of the gums.
- Crunchy vegetables and fruits — Carrots, celery, and apples are natural toothbrushes that produce saliva and clean tooth surfaces.
- Water – The best beverage that you can have on your teeth is plain water particularly fluoridated water. It cleanses the food, balances the acids, and makes the mouth moist.
- Nuts and seeds – They are rich in calcium and phosphorus and help to protect and repair enamel.
- Fish, eggs, and poultry contain lean proteins and contain phosphorus that, together with calcium, builds the tooth structure.
Practical Tips for a Tooth-Friendly Diet
- Minimize the amount of sugary and acidic food consumed between meals, instead of having snacks between meals.
- Always rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking
- Chew sugar-free gum after meals to stimulate saliva
- Keep off grazing – Snacking all the time leaves your mouth in a state of continuous acid attack.
- Be hydrated during the day.
Bottom Line
One of the most manageable factors in your dental health journey is your diet. You can provide your smile with the best possible foundation by cutting down on the quantities of foods that are harmful to the teeth, especially sugars, acidic beverages, and sticky foods, and by adopting a diet that is rich in calcium, vitamins, and water.
Naturally, nutritious eating is effective in combination with routine medical treatment. The team at Bayswater Dentist is committed to assisting you to attain and sustain good oral health by providing personalised recommendations, preventive services and customised treatment plans. You may have worries about the impact of what you eat on your teeth, you may have sensitivity issues or you may need a regular check-up, in any case, we are here to assist you with our attentive, professional care at every stage. Call Bayswater Dentist to book your appointment and start a journey towards a healthier and brighter smile.