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| Healthy teeth |
Our bodies are what we eat and what we eat depends on our
teeth and how well we chew. Therefore, good healthy teeth are an important
contributor to overall good health. Generally,
some foods that are good for general health are also good for teeth.
Acid is the cause of all the damage done to teeth. Acid may
come from acidic food and drink or produced from sugar by oral bacteria. This
acid acts on the enamel on teeth and causes decay. Therefore, it is important
to consume food and liquids that will suppress the affect of tooth-harming
acids, provide minerals and vitamins that will maintain healthy teeth and stimulate
the flow of saliva.
BAD FOODS FOR TEETH
- FOODS that contain large amounts of sugar
- CANDY such as lollipops, hard candies, and mints
- Cookies, cakes, pies
- Breads, muffins, potato chips, pretzels, french fries
- Bananas, raisins, and other dried fruits
- Cough drops (with sugar)
- DRINKS that contain sugar, including soft drinks, lemonade, and coffee or tea with added sugar.
GOOD FOODS and DRINKS FOR TEETH
- Fish, Eggs, beef, potatoes, spinach, fortified cereals, tofu, leafy green vegetables, poultry, whole grains and beans (foods rich in vitamins A, C and D, and calcium and phosphorus)
- NUTS (Peanuts, almonds, walnuts) provide tooth-friendly vitamins and minerals
- DAIRY PRODUCTS (Milk, yogurt, enriched milk, Cheese), without added sugar, provide calcium, phosphates and vitamins
- HIGH FIBER FRUITS, VEGETABLES and GRAINS which help digestion, lower cholesterol and stimulate the flow of saliva. Saliva neutralizes acids the case of tooth decay
- WATER (especially fluoridated water)
- BACTERIA FIGHTERS – SUGARLESS GUM, XYLITOL sweetened GUM
- GREEN TEA, BLACK TEA, COCOA (Unsweetened) contain polyphenols which kill or suppress the bacteria, and prevent them from producing acid.
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