6 Foods that can affect dental health
Almost all food has an affect on your dental health. Junk food and snacks with added sugar are the usual culprits for contributing to tooth decay, however there are also foods that are a necessary part of a healthy diet due to containing important nutrients that strengthen the teeth.
Below we have outlined which foods have an affect on your dental health – for the worse, or for the better!
Processed & Packaged Foods
Junk food such as lollies and sweets (especially hard or sticky candies like lollipops, mints, taffy and caramel), cookies, cakes and muffins, as well as snack foods like chips are a cause for dental concern due to the amount and type of sugar that they contain which can adhere to teeth. The bacteria in your mouth feed off these sugars, and in turn release acid which can lead to tooth decay.
To help to decrease and control the level of sugar you consume, have a look at food labels to choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars. Added sugars often are present in soft drinks, lollies, cookies and pastries – all the packaged and processed stuff!
Fizzy & Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks, also known as sugar-sweetened beverages, are the major source of sugars consumed by children and young people in New Zealand.
Sugar-containing drinks – cola, lemonade, juice and sweetened coffee or tea – can be particularly harmful because sipping them creates a constant flow of sugary solution over your teeth, which in turn promotes tooth decay. Learn more about the potentially harmful oral health effects of drinking sugary drinks from the New Zealand Dental Association.
Acidic Foods
Nutritious but acidic food like tomatoes and citrus fruits can have acidic effects on tooth enamel, so it is suggested to eat them as part of a mea as opposed to on their own.
Sticky Food
Dried fruits, including raisins can also be good alternative options to lollies in a healthy diet, but since they are sticky and adhere to teeth, the plaque acids that they produce continue to harm teeth long after you stop eating them. Opt for a piece of fresh fruit instead, or eat dried fruit sparingly.
Food with Calcium
Calcium is important in order ths strengthen and maintain healthy teeth and bones. You probably already know that dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt all provide decent amounts of calcium for your diret. Other foods that are high in calcium include spinach, kale, silverbeet and soybeans.
Fish
Above we’ve outlined that it is important to ensure you have enough calcium in your diet to protect your teeth and gums from disease – however your body isn’t able to absorb all that calcium if you don’t have enough vitamin D. Fatty fish (such a salmon) is a fantastic source of vitamin D, allowing your teeth and gums to get the full disease-fighting benefits of calcium from the foods you eat.
Not a fish fan? Other foods that contain vitamin D include cheese and egg yolks, as well as foods that have been fortified with Vitamin D such as some cereals, soy and dairy products as well as orange juice.
Our Top Tips:
- To maintain a balanced diet that has postive outcomes for your oral health, eat a variety of foods from each of the five major food groups and limit the number of junkfoody snacks you eat.
- Remember that foods eaten as part of a meal as opposed to on their own can cause less harm to your teeth and gums because the saliva released helps wash foods from the mouth and lessen the effects of acids.
- Foods high in sugar are a particularly common cause of tooth decay. Making these foods a treat rather than a staple will help protect your teeth.
- When choosing a snack, go for nutritious foods such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yoghurt or a piece of fruit.
- If you have indulged in food that is sugary, sticky or has coated your teeth (i.e a sugary drink), wait 30 minutes prior to brushing. It is important to brush after a meal where food has become stuck in your teeth, but some foods (such as citrus) can weaken enamel which means it is more susceptible to damage from brushing too soon after consuming.
Have more questions?
Unsure if your teeth have been affected by erosion and decay or would like to discuss further? Give us a call or send an enquiry through to have a consultation – we are here to help!