The food you consume affects not only your health but your teeth too. A balanced diet is also important for your dental health. In this article, we will discuss how food impacts your dental health.

You Are What You Eat

There is an interdependence between nutrition and oral health. Nutrition is defined as the intake and absorption of nutrients from food and beverages. The type of food you eat also affects your dental health.

6 Foods That Badly Affect Your Teeth

There are a variety of food items bad for your teeth. Below are some of them:

• Sugary food items – Food such as candies, lollipops, and cakes contain high amounts of sugar. Sticky sugary foods are the nemesis of teeth.
• Soft Drinks – Soft drinks contain large amounts of sugar and acid. This can lead to dental erosion. Use a straw to reduce the impact on teeth.
• Pickles – Vinegar also has a high concentration of acid. Acid can erode your tooth enamel.
• Citrus fruits – Citrus fruits contain a lot of acid. Consuming excess citric fruits can damage your teeth.
• Popcorn – Popcorn gets stuck in between your teeth and areas where brushes cannot reach. Remember to floss and rinse your mouth after your popcorn treat.
• Dried fruits – They get trapped and stick to the teeth, causing sugar to be left behind.

Healthy Alternatives for Your Teeth

• Fiber-rich fruits – Fruits like apples, prunes, and pears help stimulate saliva flow, protecting your teeth.
• Dairy products – Calcium and phosphate contained in dairy products help rebuild damaged enamel.
• Leafy vegetables – Vegetables such as spinach and leeks are good sources of calcium and protect teeth enamel.
• Black and green tea – These help to kill bacteria that cause plaque formation on your tooth.
• Sugarless chewing gum – This helps to remove leftover particles from your teeth.
• Food With Fluoride – This helps to strengthen your enamel and prevent cavities. Seafood and yams are good sources of fluoride. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste also helps protect your tooth.

V for Vitamins

Vitamins are essential for healthy teeth, too! Teeth enamels are made up of phosphate and calcium. Vitamin D helps to absorb calcium from your food intake. On the other hand, low levels of vitamin D are linked with gum diseases and tooth decay in adults. Thirty minutes of exposure to natural sunlight could be a great source of Vitamin D.

Schedule regular visits with our experts at Westwood Dental, 11576 S State St Suite #1201, Draper, UT 84020. Call us to book an appointment at (801) 716-7006.