Got some serious issues with your teeth? Stains, erosion, plaques, bad breath? Definitely your diet is one of the key culprits. Consultant Registered Dietitian, Preethi Rahul talks about the food- teeth connection
Know the factors affecting your teeth
Our mouth harbours bacteria that can convert carbohydrates to acids. Teeth are easily vulnerable to acid attacks and can get damaged or eroded easily. Having foods with staining abilities cause permanent stain on teeth. Constant contact with food, without proper cleansing can lead to plaque build-up. Dental cavities and caries are other common teeth related problems. Foods high in sugar, carbohydrate and acid content are particularly harmful for the teeth.
Getting the teeth basics right
- Brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day using a fluoride containing toothpaste.
- Wash and rinse your mouth well after every meal.
- Floss your teeth every day.
- Go for routine dental examination (once in 6 months) and teeth cleaning.
- Have teeth-friendly snacks like cheese, whole fresh fruit, unsweetened yogurt, vegetable salads etc.
- Space your meals and snacks well, so that you aren't constantly eating. Constant contact with food can lead to plaque formation.
Main culprits
Sugar/ Carbohydrate rich foods
Starch mixed with salivary amylase produces an acid bath and when this acid bath stays in the mouth for long, potential for danger is greater. The acid damages the tooth's enamel which is the top most layer of the teeth and slowly dissolves the calcium in it causing tooth decay. Direct sugars and carbohydrates ultimately get converted to starch in the body which is why these foods have to be taken in moderation. Even dry fruits like raisins and fruit juices are highly concentrated sources of sugar. So, reduce your sugar intake.
Acidic drinks
Sipping acidic drinks like carbonated beverages, sweetened sodas for prolonged periods, can erode teeth. Certain studies even show that teeth when put in a carbonated beverage, totally disappear in a certain period of time. That displays the effect of acid on teeth. Most of the acidic drinks are also high in simple sugars, which make the teeth more prone to decay.
Staining foods
Drinking excess alcohol erodes the teeth enamel, destroying the surface leading to teeth discolouration. Smoking also leads to stain formation on teeth and makes teeth more prone to decay. Smoking, chewing beetle nut and tobacco adversely affects oral hygiene. These habits can cause bad breath, gum disease, damage to tooth enamel, eventual tooth loss and may even lead to oral cancer. Coffee, soft drinks, and juices with artificial flavours and colouring agents can cause tooth discoloration. The artificial ingredients weaken the enamel surface and make teeth more susceptible to dental caries.
Junk foods
Foods like chips, buttery popcorn; refined products etc. can stick to the teeth surface or can get trapped in between the teeth. If left un-noticed they get converted to acid which causes a lot of havoc.
Best friends
Green tea
Catechins present in green tea can ward away the bacteria that cover sugar or carbs into acids and also the organisms that can produce bad breath.
Try this: Keep green tea bags always handy and have at least 3- 4 cups a day and start noticing the visible difference.
Cheese
Cheese is low in carbohydrates and rich in minerals like calcium and phosphorus which help in remineralisation of the enamel. It helps to produce saliva that can kill the infection causing bacteria and help to balance the pH in the mouth.
Try this: Have a ½ inch cube of cheese instead of the sweet- sugary desserts.
Parsley/mint
Having 3-4 mint leaves or parsley will lend you a sweet breath, owing to the presence of monoterpenes in them.
Try this: Garnish your dessert with mint leaves or add it to your main course.
Sesame seeds
It helps to slough off the plaque and in re-building the tooth enamel. They are also rich in calcium which helps to preserve the teeth and gum health.
Try this: Add sesame seeds to a salad to keep the gentle teeth cleaning action ticking.
Water
Drinking water through the day will help to keep the gums hydrated and also to stimulate saliva. Saliva is one of the body's greatest defence system which helps to keep a check on the bacteria that cause plaque and cavities. Water also helps to wash away food particles trapped in between the teeth and the gums.
Try this: In case you don't have the time to brush after every meal, make sure to rinse your mouth with a lot of water.
Our mouth harbours bacteria that can convert carbohydrates to acids. Teeth are easily vulnerable to acid attacks and can get damaged or eroded easily. Having foods with staining abilities cause permanent stain on teeth. Constant contact with food, without proper cleansing can lead to plaque build-up. Dental cavities and caries are other common teeth related problems. Foods high in sugar, carbohydrate and acid content are particularly harmful for the teeth.
Getting the teeth basics right
- Brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day using a fluoride containing toothpaste.
- Wash and rinse your mouth well after every meal.
- Floss your teeth every day.
- Go for routine dental examination (once in 6 months) and teeth cleaning.
- Have teeth-friendly snacks like cheese, whole fresh fruit, unsweetened yogurt, vegetable salads etc.
- Space your meals and snacks well, so that you aren't constantly eating. Constant contact with food can lead to plaque formation.
Main culprits
Sugar/ Carbohydrate rich foods
Starch mixed with salivary amylase produces an acid bath and when this acid bath stays in the mouth for long, potential for danger is greater. The acid damages the tooth's enamel which is the top most layer of the teeth and slowly dissolves the calcium in it causing tooth decay. Direct sugars and carbohydrates ultimately get converted to starch in the body which is why these foods have to be taken in moderation. Even dry fruits like raisins and fruit juices are highly concentrated sources of sugar. So, reduce your sugar intake.
Acidic drinks
Sipping acidic drinks like carbonated beverages, sweetened sodas for prolonged periods, can erode teeth. Certain studies even show that teeth when put in a carbonated beverage, totally disappear in a certain period of time. That displays the effect of acid on teeth. Most of the acidic drinks are also high in simple sugars, which make the teeth more prone to decay.
Staining foods
Drinking excess alcohol erodes the teeth enamel, destroying the surface leading to teeth discolouration. Smoking also leads to stain formation on teeth and makes teeth more prone to decay. Smoking, chewing beetle nut and tobacco adversely affects oral hygiene. These habits can cause bad breath, gum disease, damage to tooth enamel, eventual tooth loss and may even lead to oral cancer. Coffee, soft drinks, and juices with artificial flavours and colouring agents can cause tooth discoloration. The artificial ingredients weaken the enamel surface and make teeth more susceptible to dental caries.
Junk foods
Foods like chips, buttery popcorn; refined products etc. can stick to the teeth surface or can get trapped in between the teeth. If left un-noticed they get converted to acid which causes a lot of havoc.
Best friends
Green tea
Catechins present in green tea can ward away the bacteria that cover sugar or carbs into acids and also the organisms that can produce bad breath.
Try this: Keep green tea bags always handy and have at least 3- 4 cups a day and start noticing the visible difference.
Cheese
Cheese is low in carbohydrates and rich in minerals like calcium and phosphorus which help in remineralisation of the enamel. It helps to produce saliva that can kill the infection causing bacteria and help to balance the pH in the mouth.
Try this: Have a ½ inch cube of cheese instead of the sweet- sugary desserts.
Parsley/mint
Having 3-4 mint leaves or parsley will lend you a sweet breath, owing to the presence of monoterpenes in them.
Try this: Garnish your dessert with mint leaves or add it to your main course.
Sesame seeds
It helps to slough off the plaque and in re-building the tooth enamel. They are also rich in calcium which helps to preserve the teeth and gum health.
Try this: Add sesame seeds to a salad to keep the gentle teeth cleaning action ticking.
Water
Drinking water through the day will help to keep the gums hydrated and also to stimulate saliva. Saliva is one of the body's greatest defence system which helps to keep a check on the bacteria that cause plaque and cavities. Water also helps to wash away food particles trapped in between the teeth and the gums.
Try this: In case you don't have the time to brush after every meal, make sure to rinse your mouth with a lot of water.
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