Oral health is as important as gut health. Though we give a lot of attention to foods for the gut, we often ignore to know which foods affect our dental and mouth health. There are quite a number of foods that are quietly causing damage to your teeth and leading to tooth decays. Which are these foods?
Oral health
We eat tasty and nutritious foods keeping in mind the fact that they should help our body including the gut. Gut has trillions of useful bacteria and contains 70-80% of the body’s immune cells. Hence, there is a growing interest in finding out which foods promote gut health.
Often, we do not pay the required attention to oral health. The health of your teeth, gums, and oral cavity is equally important. This is the place where we chew our food and the eating and digestive process starts. Certain foods favor a healthy mouth cavity. Whereas certain foods can damage our teeth, gums, and oral mucous membranes. In order to have a healthy mouth and teeth, we should avoid or limit the foods that harm these tissues and increase chances of tooth decay.
Dr. Cary Goldstein, dentist at the Goldstein Dental Center in Atlanta says:
“While regular brushing and flossing can help keep your teeth healthy, it’s important to be aware of the foods that may be quietly rotting your teeth,”
Which foods are bad for the oral cavity?
Sugary drinks and sodas
These are extremely bad for the teeth. They erode the enamel and cause cavities, infection, pain and loss of tooth. The sugars stick to the teeth to cause proliferation of acid-forming bacteria. These drinks are also acidic and can damage the enamel.
Sugary sodas damage tooth enamel (Source: Harvard health)Cary advises:
“Make sure to [drinks like this] in moderation and rinse your mouth with water afterward,”
Sticky foods and Oral health
These include candies, chocolate, and even dried fruits. Cary explains:
“These foods become lodged between your teeth and can be difficult to remove with brushing alone. They also often contain sugar, which can lead to decay over time,”
“To reduce your risk of cavities, opt for healthier, non-sticky snacks such as vegetables, nuts, and cheese.”
Gummies and candies stick to teeth and cause bacterial proliferation (Source: Dynamic Conveyor)Acidic fruits and foods
Fruits and foods with a low pH harm the enamel and expose the dentine. This increases sensitivity and later causes decays or rots. Cary states:
“Although these foods are healthy, the acids found in them can erode your enamel and cause decay,”
He recommends:
“If you do choose to eat acidic foods, make sure to rinse your mouth with water afterwards to help neutralize the acid.”
Refined carbs
Refined carb foods (Source: Master Class)These release sugars when salivary amylase acts on them. And bacteria feed on these sugars and cause acid and dental damage. Cary says:
“Bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugar found in carbohydrates, which can contribute to plaque buildup and cavities,”
“Make sure to brush and floss after eating carbohydrates. Also, choose healthier carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.”
Read here: 8 soft and nutritious foods best for elderly people with no teeth!
Cary makes this concluding statement:
“Being aware of the foods that may be quietly rotting your teeth can help you protect your smile and keep your teeth healthy for years to come,”