Did you know that the food you eat can affect the colour and condition of your teeth?

Here’s the guide from Sloan Dental which explains all you need to know.

 

 

Whatever you eat or drink has to come into contact with your teeth first which makes your pearly-whites vulnerable if your choices are less than perfect. Everyone knows that high-sugar foods are a bad idea, while fizzy drinks loaded with sugar are just as damaging.

The food you choose to put into your body doesn’t just affect your overall health, it has a direct impact on the condition of your teeth and gums. If you’ve heard conflicting things about what’s healthy and what you should avoid, never fear – we’re here to help! Here’s the lowdown on the different food choices available and how they could affect your teeth.

 

Avoid Sticky Food

It’s not just sugar that’s the bad guy when it comes to your teeth; sticky foods can be problematic too. After you’ve eaten them a sticky residue clings to the tooth enamel, and has the potential to accelerate the development of cavities.

Honey, molasses and raisins are all examples of sticky food but as they’re also high in sugar they’re still fairly obvious foods to avoid. What many people don’t know is that starchy food is sticky too, and that means things like bread and crisps.

No-one is saying you can’t enjoy the occasional sandwich or handful of raisins but try to eat them in small amounts and make sure you have a good dental hygiene routine.

 

Acidic Foods

We’re used to thinking of fruits as very healthy choices and it’s certainly true that your body and general wellbeing will benefit from a steady intake of all kinds of fruits. Unfortunately it’s not exactly the same for teeth, as some types of fruit aren’t just high in natural sugars but also very acidic too.

Food which is acidic can wear away the enamel of your teeth, causing decay and damage. If you want to eat acidic foods such as oranges, cranberries and tomato, include them with your main meal rather than eating them on their own. This minimises the potential damage that can be caused.

 

Teeth-Staining Foods

There are certain types of food which contain something known as chromogens, a substance which can discolour your teeth permanently with regular exposure. Red wine, coffee and tea are just some of the guilty parties, staining the tooth enamel and making your teeth look yellow and dull.

Drinking water with any tooth-staining foods can reduce the potential effect, washing away the chromogens and protecting the enamel from discolouration.

 

Enjoy A Balanced Diet

Good oral health relies on a varied and nutritious diet so it’s important to try and eat well. By avoiding processed foods and eating fresh food and vegetables, you’ll help to reduce inflammation in your mouth and keep your teeth in the best possible condition.

There are some studies which suggest that if you do develop periodontal disease, having a well-balanced diet will slow down its development. So, if you want to stay mouth healthy, make sure you’re having healthy portions of the right foods and saying no to sweets and fizzy drinks!

If you want to know more about how your food choices affect your teeth, come and talk to Sloan Dental today.