Food gives us sustenance to get us through the day. It’s the primary source of energy for us human beings. The fact is, everyone loves to eat and we all have our preferences. The food we eat defines us and makes us the people we are today.
Whatever kind of food we consume, it will affect our bodies both positively and negatively.
Sadly, several people are not concerned about what they eat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this is true especially for the 3.58 Billion people around the world who suffer from Oral diseases.
A Window to our Overall Health
You must have heard from your Orthodontist or Periodontist that a good set of teeth is a sign of good health. Our oral health is indeed a measure of our overall health and wellbeing. Our teeth provide an overview of how healthy we are and indicate the lifestyle we are living in.
It is important to know which kind of food is best and worst for our teeth, to have a better understanding of how to take care of our oral health.
Worst Foods
#1 Citrus-flavored and Sour Candies
Any type of candy, may it be chewy, gummy, or hard is bad for your teeth. Candies come in a variety of flavors and the most popular ones usually have a huge amount of citric acid in them. Now is the time you may want to consider limiting your purchase of Skittles and Starbursts.
Citric Acid and sugar is probably the worst combination your teeth can take. While sugar promotes bacteria growth on singular patches of your mouth, Citric acid affects a wider teeth surface as it softens our teeth’s enamel and supports tooth decay through sugar and the bacteria feeding on them. These bacteria may cause gingivitis that would cause you a lot of trips to the Periodontist.
#2 Sugary and Acidic Beverages
Like certain foods mentioned above, the sugar and Citric acid combination can be found on drinks too. The acid found in sodas, energy drinks, and sports drinks is harmful to your oral health. It’s not a problem to consume these types of food once in a while but having it frequently, is bad.
#3 Pickles
Pickles are excellent to have on your burger or sandwich, but eating it directly from the jar may cause trouble for your teeth. A study from the British Dental Journal that observed over 2300 students in the UK found that pickles wore out the teeth more than any other kind of acidic food. Periodontists from across the country suggest that If you love pickles, it is better to eat it on a single seating rather than having it at different times of the day.
#4 Dried Fruits
Though most dried fruits have no added sugar in them, they still have a high amount of fructose. Fructose is a type of sugar naturally found in fruits and vegetables. Sugar is an inhibitor for bacterial growth, not to mention the small pieces of dried fruit that may be stuck between your teeth after.
Best Foods
#1 Fiber-rich Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables rich in water and fiber help with balancing the sugar they contain. IT Fiber-rich foods also help in cleaning your gums and your teeth whilst eating them. Several studies confirm that children and adults who have a high percentage of consuming Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables have fewer visits to the Periodontist.
#2 Crunchy Vegetables
Munching on crunchy vegetables like Celery and Carrots promote the production of saliva.
Saliva is your body’s way of cleaning your mouth, it helps in diluting acid and keeping tissues in your mouth healthy. The next time you want to munch on something, opt to crunch on Celery, Carrots or Cucumbers.
#3 Dairy
Dairy is rich in calcium which is important for your bone health and your teeth as well. Cheese contains Casein- a protein that reinforces and protects your teeth’s enamel. When eating yogurt chose unsweetened unflavored ones, then add your fresh fruit or vegetables.
#4 Fatty Fish
Good Fat can be found in Omega 3 rich fish like Salmon and Sardines. Omega-3 rich fish often contain a high level of Vitamin D as well. This Vitamin helps in the absorption of Calcium and Phosphorous that help in strengthening your teeth. If you’re not fond of eating fish, some supplements provide a source for Omega-3.
We must be mindful of anything we consume. Considering our health when choosing which food to eat, must be a priority. There are plenty of ways to enjoy healthy food. If you’re looking to improve your Oral Health, you can always ask advice from our team or Orthodontists and Periodontists.
