Foods for Great Oral Health: 5 to Eat and 5 to Avoid

We tend to feel vulnerable with our comforting foods when there is a celebration, loneliness, or sense of boredom. However, we seem to neglect the fact that the food we eat might significantly affect our oral health.

Focusing on the words of François de la Rochefoucauld, a French author, “To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art,” let us discuss how to maintain good oral health by avoiding the following foods.

5 Foods To Avoid 

• Sugar, Sugar, and Sugar

Whether it’s refined white sugar, brown sugar, or honey – it is all sugar. Sugar has the potential of turning your mouth into an acidic environment, which mainly attacks the outer layer of tooth enamel. The amount of sugar consumed is significantly less important than how often you consume it. 

You must understand that if you eat or drink foods containing sugar every couple of hours, you are unknowingly soaking your teeth in the acid, which may result in tooth decay, bleeding gums, cavities, among other oral health problems.

If you cannot resist having candies(even sugary dried fruits), then prefer those that quickly dissolve in your mouth. Or, you can try having desserts after your meals. That way, the saliva in your mouth can neutralise acid production and remineralise your enamel before you brush your teeth.

• Crackers!

Crackers are refined carbohydrates. The moment they break down in your mouth, the saltines turn into sugar within seconds, and in no time, pathogenic bacteria feast on it. The process continues with the excretion of acid that leads to plaque buildup and tooth decay. 

One must avoid consuming crackers made out of wheat and can try some snacks made out of seed and nuts.

• Soda and Soft Drinks

From soda to soft drinks claiming zero calories contains high sugar content and a great deal of acid – even the sugar-free ones. A high acid level in your mouth can contribute to gum inflammation, increased cavities, decay, and dental erosion.

If you still love your soda, then indulge in the habit of swishing your mouth with water immediately after to create a shield for your teeth. Also, make sure to brush your teeth after 40 to 45 minutes and not immediately after consuming soda since acid softens your teeth’s structure.

• Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, grapefruit are pretty important components for a well-balanced diet. However, too much of these fruits can make your teeth vulnerable to cavities due to the acid they consist of.

• Wine

At the same time, wine – be it red or white, includes erosive acid, which has the ability to soften tooth enamel. It is helpful to brush your teeth before drinking the wine to avoid the risk of the beverage sticking to your teeth. 

People truly believe that exercise and diet play a vital role in keeping them healthy. However, they don’t realise the importance of a healthy mouth that keeps your body healthy. 

Someone has said that ‘Effort is like toothpaste; you can usually squeeze out just a little bit more.’

So, keeping that in mind, let us explore how healthy eating affects oral health and hygiene by discussing foods that are good for your teeth.

5 Foods To Eat

• Dairy Products

Our teeth crave phosphorus, calcium, and phosphates present in milk, plain yoghurt, cheese, and other dairy products. By consuming these products, you help rebuild your tooth enamel and restore the minerals lost due to other foods.

• It’s all in the ‘GREENS’

Leafy greens and foods with fibre are the most crucial natural defence against cavities and gum disease. This type of food for healthy teeth enhances the flow of saliva that reduces the effects of enzymes and acids attacking your teeth.

• Vitamin D and Omega-3s

Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and trout are rich in vitamin D and omega-3s. These nutrients are highly necessary to reduce the risk of tooth decay. While Omega-3 reduces bleeding and inflammation and supports gum health, vitamin D delivers calcium to your teeth.

• Sugar-free gum

Sugar-free gum also helps to create a great deal of saliva in your mouth that keeps the food particles away from your teeth.

• Lots and Lots Of Water

Fluoridated drinking water is one of the most beneficial methods to prevent the risk of tooth decay. If you prioritise this over any beverage, then in no time, you can witness a real difference to your healthy gums and teeth.

An Irish proverb says that “Laughter is brightest where food is best.” How about we take the plunge towards nutritious foods to eat and some foods to avoid to keep on that healthy smile. If you feel that this article helped you understand your teeth’s health, contact Rouse Hill Smiles Dental Care today for more details. Make an appointment with us and get access to our affordable and reliable dental care.