Oral Health: Diet Do’s and Don’ts
Food
is the fuel that keeps your body fit and functioning, but what you eat
can also contribute to better oral health. What you put in your mouth affects both your
general health and that of your teeth and gums. In fact, if your
nutrition is poor, the first signs often show up in your oral health.
Foods that Can Help Fight Decay
While some foods invite tooth decay, others help combat plaque buildup and help keep teeth and gums healthy. Here are some foods that can help keep your smile sparkling:
Crisp, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables: Foods with fiber — like apples, carrots and celery — not only help stimulate saliva flow, but also helps neutralize acids and enzymes that attack the enamel of your teeth. Thus help in cleaning plaque from teeth and freshen breath. Plus, many contain vitamin C (important for healthy gums and quick healing of wounds) and vitamin A (another key nutrient in building tooth enamel).
Cheese, milk, plain yogurt and other dairy products: The calcium, phosphates and vitamin D in cheese, milk and other dairy products help prevent tooth decay and other problems, they help overcome the demineralization process occurring due to other foods in your diet. Moreover, the calcium in these foods helps protect teeth from acids that cause decay while working to build tooth enamel on the spot.
Sugarless chewing gum: While not technically a food, sugar-free gum can help rinse harmful acid off your teeth after meals and snacks. Look for sugarless gum that contains xylitol, which has been shown to help prevent cavities, most likely by inhibiting the growth of certain oral bacteria.
Green and black teas: Tea contains compounds that interact with plaque and either kill or suppress bacteria, preventing them from growing or producing tooth-attacking acid. This not only helps to prevent cavities, but also reduces inflammation and the chances of developing gum disease. Just remember: don’t add lot of sugar to your tea.
Citrus fruit: Although it is acidic, citrus fruit increases saliva flow. In fact, research shows that oranges, grapefruits and other citrus fruit tend to protect tooth enamel. Because citrus fruit contains a lot of water, it also helps wash away acid-producing bacteria. But don’t suck on them or keep them in your mouth for a long period of time because the acids in these foods can erode tooth enamel.
Fish and flax: Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish, fish oil and flaxseed, are effective anti-inflammatory nutrients. People who consume diets high in Omega-3s are more resistant to inflammation and infection, and this may also translate to resistance to gum disease.
Water (with fluoride): Water is hands down the best choice for your teeth. In addition to a neutral pH, water helps rinse sugars and acid from the mouth. And if the water is fluoridated that’s even better! Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral helps to re-mineralize tooth surfaces and prevents cavities from continuing to form.
Foods to Avoid for oral health
Sugary candies and sweets: If you eat sweets, go for those that clear out of your mouth quickly. Candies are loaded with sugar, which increases acid levels from bacteria in the mouth. Sticky and gummy candies pose the biggest threat, since they adhere to teeth, making it hard for saliva to wash them away.So thumbs down for lollipops, caramels, and cough drops that contain refined sugar.
Starchy, refined carbohydrates: Foods such as chips, bread, pasta or crackers can be as harmful to the teeth as candy for instance, can get trapped between your teeth and bacteria feed on sugar from these starches. And the more refined or cooked a starch, the more likely it is to raise acid levels in the mouth. (Raw starches in vegetables tend not to endanger tooth enamel as much.)
Carbonated soft drinks and sports drinks: Not only does regular soda contain a high amount of sugar, both regular and diet sodas also contain phosphorous and carbonation, which wear away the enamel on your teeth, causing them to become stained and brown. Many energy drinks, bottled iced teas and lemonades also contain high amounts of sugar and may contain acids that wear away tooth enamel. If you regularly consume soda, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth. Similarly avoid alcohol as it causes dehydration, drys mouth faster.
Sugary breakfast cereals: Avoid foods that contain a mixture of sugar and starch, such as ready-to-eat breakfast cereal, pastries and many processed foods. The combination of sugar and starch — which turns into sugar — is more likely to get stuck in plaque between teeth.
So the best advice to prevent cavities and maintain your beautiful smile is to reach for a food that’s less likely to cause tooth decay, and be sure to brush and floss regularly.
Mrs Shilpa Mittal
Nutritionist and Diet Consultant
Founder Shilpsnutrilife - Diet and lifestylemakeover
