Brushing twice a day, regularly flossing them and using mouthwash after brushing are some rules that everyone has told you to take proper care of your teeth. If you visit a dentist, he is probably going to say the exact same things. But the way to take proper care of your teeth and avoiding them from bacteria attack or tooth decay can be simply found in the refrigerator. What we eat has a huge impact on our body thus the saying, ‘you are what you eat.’ The food we intake also affects our mouth. Regular dentist visits are vital to maintain the health of your mouth and so is taking care of your eating habits.
As per the dental specialist, here are the 10 best and worst foods for your teeth:
Worst
- Citrus fruits– Although citrus rich fruits are beneficial to the diet, their highly acidic properties can weaken the tooth enamel. Many people have the habit of drinking lemon water in the morning. It is an invitation to future tooth problems. The harm from the citrus-rich food can be minimized by chugging down water immediately after their consumption.
- Soda– Soda is the most harmful drink for the body, especially the teeth. Sodas are highly acidic, and the acids found in them are the leading cause of cavities. Even the sugar-free sodas can harm the teeth. They have citric and phosphoric acid which makes them prone to cavities.
- Candy– Sugar is equally harmful to our teeth as it is to our body. Too much of sweet intake makes the teeth more prone to the cavities. Candies that stick to the mouth worsen such situations. The hard candies are equally bad for the teeth. Chewing them can result in chipping of the tooth and while they take time to get dissolved in the mouth, the bacteria gets more time to attack.
- Wine– Wine, if taken in adequate amount is believed to be a healthy drink, especially for the women. According to the dentist, both red and white wine contain erosive fruit acids, which makes our teeth vulnerable to bacteria. Red wine is rich in antioxidants, which makes it good for the heart. However, the pigmented substance in the red wine can stain the teeth.
- Dried fruits– Fruits have many tooth benefits, but dried fruits can be equally harmful to the teeth. The dried fruits have no water left in them which makes them highly concentrated in sugar.
Best
- Celery and crunchy vegetables– Crunchy and firm foods that contain lots of water and require lots of chewing are good for oral health. Dental specialists say that crunchy food items are like an exercise for the mouth, which is necessary to keep them sharp and in proper condition. They also stimulate saliva which prevents the tooth in case of acid attack and help in teeth whitening.
- Leafy vegetables– Leafy vegetables are high in fiber. They too require a lot of chewing which neutralizes harmful acids and helps in keeping are mouth clean and healthy.
- Dairy products– Dairy products like cheese and yogurt are calcium-rich choices. Dental specialists say that foods that are rich in calcium and phosphorus protect the tooth enamel from bacteria attack and help in replacing the minerals in the teeth.
- Tea– Green and black tea are rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols helps in holding back the plaque bacteria. If the water used to brew the tea contains Fluoride, the tea can be more efficient to fight against the bacteria.
- Sugarless Gum– Chewing a sugar-free gum is a good way to remove the harmful acid from the mouth. Xylitol is an ingredient found in most of the sugarless gums. It fights the cavity-causing bacteria and prevent tooth decay.
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