Best versus worst foods for your teeth
Did you ever think that your smile depends on the foods you eat? Find out which foods are beneficial for your teeth and which ones you should avoid !
How do foods affect our teeth?
Just like the rest of the body, teeth need certain nutrients to be at an optimal state. Foods rich in calcium, vitamins A and D, phosphorus and fibers are excellent for strengthening and protecting the teeth. Foods that increase saliva production and require a more extensive chewing are also beneficial for removing stains from the teeth, while preventing the development of caries.
But not all foods and drinks are friendly with our teeth. Some can erode the enamel, causing caries, or they can just be harmful for the tooth structure.
Best foods for our teeth:
Celery root
Celery roots are every dentist’s dream. Just like all crunchy foods, they require comprehensive biting and chewing, which leads to saliva production. Saliva acts in the mouth just like the blood in our bodies, maintaining the health of the tissues. Saliva has the role of cleaning the teeth and the gums from food scraps and to provide protection against caries.
One of the celery root’s benefits is its rough surface, which acts on the teeth while you chew on it. Carrots, cucumbers and other crunchy vegetables have the exact same effect.
Chia seeds
If you are not a consumer of chia seeds, we recommend you including them in your daily diet. Not only they do wonders for the digestive health and energy levels, but they also contain minerals that are beneficial for the teeth, like calcium, vitamin A, fibers and phosphorus. They are very versatile and can be used in salads, smoothies or non-dairy yogurts.
Coconut oil
Besides the fact that is great for cooking with, coconut oil also maintains dental health. For a healthy and beautiful smile, choose a toothpaste made of natural ingredients. This toothpaste will not only deep clean your teeth, but it will also protect them in a natural way.
Acidic foods
If you love orange juice or lemon water, we’ve got some bad news for you. The acid in citrus attacks the enamel irreversibly. Although lemon and grapefruit juice seem the most aggressive ones, a study has shown that orange juice is the one which reduced enamel strength by 84%.
Dried fruits
Dried fruits are rich in sugar, thus helping the feed of the harmful bacterias in the mouth. Furthermore, the fruits often tend to stick to the teeth, increasing bacterial development.
White bread
White bread is rich in calories and refined carbs, which makes it not so indicated for consumption. It frequently gets stuck between the teeth, increasing bacterial development. After chewing white bread, the enzymes in its composition are converted into sugars, which harms dental health. If you are a fan of bread, you can always choose the healthier version: the whole-wheat bread.
Energy drinks
Energy drinks contain a lot of sugar, some even the equivalent of 13 teaspoons. Although they don’t seem like it, energy drinks are very acid. A study proved they can be more acid than fizzy drinks. Considering the fact that people don’t gulp on these drinks, but rather they consume them in a slower pace, their harmful effect on the teeth is even bigger.
Pickles
In pickles, the extremely acid component is represented by vinegar.
