Foods That Keep Your Teeth in Great Condition - Dental Health 101

The health of your teeth depends on the foods you eat and how often you consume them. Healthy teeth start with healthy choices of food. When you eat food and drinks with too much sugar, it can cause your tooth to decay. Here are some tips on how to keep your teeth healthy:

1. Eat foods that are good for your teeth

Eat plenty of foods that can keep your teeth healthy, such as pears, melon, celery, cucumber. They are high in water and can help you balance the sugar you consumed. Fruits and vegetables are also rich in vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C that can keep gums healthy and aid in the healing of wounds. They also have Vitamin A that is essential in building tooth enamel and calcium that makes the teeth strong.

Eat dairy foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, which can neutralize acid and help produce saliva. Saliva is important in keeping away tooth-decaying elements from your mouth.

Foods such as meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are high in protein, calcium, and phosphorus. They help protect and rebuild your tooth enamel.

Drinking plenty of water is also essential, as it can wash away tooth-decaying particles, keep you hydrated, and aid digestion.

2. Avoid foods that are harmful to your teeth

Avoid hard foods, such as candies and ice, which can break your teeth. Crunchy foods can also get stuck in between your teeth.

Bacteria also loves eating on the sugar left on your teeth, so it is crucial to avoid eating too many sugary foods. Also avoid sticky foods, such as dried fruits, granola bars, caramel, and jelly beans, because bacteria will feed on them long after you’re done eating. Foods that are high in citrus can also harm your teeth because citrus erodes the tooth’s enamel.

You may love coffee or tea, but they can make your mouth dry, which makes it prone to developing bacteria that can cause tooth decay. Over time, coffee and tea can also stain your teeth. Soda, energy drinks and flavored water should be avoided as well due to their high sugar and citric acid contents. Also, alcohol can make your mouth dry, decreasing your saliva production.

3. Eat and drink in moderation

Some foods and drinks may be good for your health in some other ways but not on your teeth. The key is to consume them in moderation. When you consume foods and drinks that have high sugar or acid content, make sure that you drink water after that to wash them down. Brush your teeth at least twice a day to remove tooth decay-causing particles from your mouth. In addition, avoid snacking and space out your meals with four to five-hour intervals. This will give your saliva enough time to repair the damages caused by acids and bacteria.

Final thoughts

Healthy teeth start with the healthy choices you make about the food and drinks you consume regularly. Eat foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals that support the health of your teeth, and avoid foods and drinks that can promote bacteria buildup.