Best And Worst Foods For Dental Health

It may be easy to think that a regular regime of brushing twice a day is adequate for maintaining ideal oral hygiene, but it is important to note that the different kinds of food and beverages that we consume have different impacts on the mineralized portion of our teeth. Some food substances may contain nutrients and minerals that allow teeth to regain lost strength and gums to remain healthy, while other food substances can cause deterioration of the oral cavity in numerous ways including staining, cavity formation, accumulation of bacteria and conditions associated with the gums.

It is said that prevention is better than cure, and rightly so. The right diet and maintenance routines can work wonders for the oral cavity. The top five best foods the teeth have been enlisted as follows:

• Milk and Dairy Products: Dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cottage cheese are rich in calcium. Calcium helps in providing strength and structural integrity to the teeth. Calcium not only strengthen the enamel of the teeth, but also all the bones of the body.
• Natural Greens: Eating fresh fruit and vegetables can work miracles for the teeth; not only do these leafy, fresh foods offer a scrubbing action on the teeth that remove lodged debris from between the teeth, but also helps in active generation of saliva which keeps the oral cavity thoroughly cleansed.
• Sugar-free Gum: Leading dentists recommend sugar-free gums to their patients. This is because these gums stimulate the generation of saliva and can be used for long durations of time without posing any threat to the teeth.
• Nuts: Nuts contains some essential nutrients and minerals such as calcium and vitamin D; walnuts, almonds and peanuts can help strengthen the teeth and gums both.
• Water: While it may seem surprising to many, water has been enlisted among the top best foods and beverages for ideal oral health. Among the most prominent advantages of consuming water throughout the day include the fact that water generally contains fluoride, a mineral which is also added to toothpastes and mouthwashes to keep the teeth safe from bacteria, plaque and cavity formation. Another prominent advantage is that water helps in washing out food substances which may have lodged between teeth after meals.

The top five food substances that have been deemed the worse for oral health include:

•  Acidic fizzy/sports drinks: Based on the researches conducted in various parts of the world, the consumption of fizzy/sports drinks has increased rapidly within the last decade. It is critical to note that these drinks contain high levels of sugar and acids such as carbonic acid and phosphoric acid. Not only do these drinks lower the pH of the oral cavity allowing bacteria to accumulate, but can also lead to rapid deterioration of the teeth by weakening their structure.
• Candy: Chewy or hard, candy is perhaps the worst enemy of the teeth. Chewy candy adheres to the surfaces of the teeth and is difficult to remove, while hard candy may lodge between the grooves of the teeth and requires a considerable amount of time before it dissolves. In both cases, this candy gives ample time for opportunistic bacteria to accumulate and cause destruction of the teeth.
• Staining beverages: The top three most popular, most widely consumed beverages which are also known culprits for teeth staining are wine, tea and coffee. People who regularly consume either or all of these beverages are most likely to complain of discoloration and generalized staining which is near impossible to remove with normal brushing techniques.
• Citrus containing food: While citric acid may be great for the skin and blood, it is quite harmful for the oral cavity if consumed regularly without proper cleaning. Lemon and orange juices for instance, can lower the pH of the oral cavity. Pickles (which contain vinegar) are also equally harmful for the teeth.
• Starch and carbohydrates: Food such as salted crackers, potato crisps and breads turn mushy once they have been mixed with saliva; this makes it easy for these substances to adhere between teeth and attract bacteria.