Sweet foods and drinks can harm our oral health and can lead to cavities.
A cavity is the most prevalent chronic oral disease in both children and adults.
Previous research has shown a strong link between eating habits and the health of teeth and gums.
Amr Moursi, professor and chair of pediatric dentistry at the College of Dentistry at New York University, provide five tips about oral health and nutrition that may help people keep their teeth cavity-free.
Stick with water
According to research, water is the healthiest drink option. Tap water typically contains fluoride and can benefit tooth health.
Water can help wash away food particles that can get stuck to teeth. These food particles can feed bacteria in your mouth and form plaque and cavities.
Eating more dairy, vegetables, and fruit
Milk, yogurt, and cheese without added sugar are healthy for oral health.
This is because these dairy products contain calcium, an important nutrient for healthy teeth and bones.
In addition, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains should be part of a healthy diet because they are beneficial to overall health.
What is good for overall health good for your teeth (with a few exceptions).
Be cautious about so-called ‘healthy’ foods and drinks
Some foods and drinks, such as juice, sound healthy but they can contain too much sugar, which can harm their teeth health and lead to cavities.
Children under 6 years of age should only have four to six ounces of juice a day.
Dried fruit such as raisins are sticky and do not dissolve quickly. This can make a feast for germs to munch on and produce acid.
In addition, chips, crackers, and bread all contain high carbohydrates that turn into sugars in the mouth and lead to tooth diseases.
People need to drink water or chew sugarless gum after consuming them. Sugarless gum helps stimulate saliva, which can help fight cavity.
Eating time matters more than what you eat
Many people eat smaller meals throughout the day or snacking between meals to improve their body weight and metabolism.
But constant snacking can harm oral health.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, dental health depends less on what we eat and more on how often we eat.
Snacking on sugary foods and drinks all day long can greatly increase the risk of cavities.
Chocolate can be less harmful than other candies.
Research has shown that caramel, gummy candies, and other sticky candies are full of sugar and can get stuck to our teeth. They can increase the risk of tooth decay.
Sour candies may erode enamel and harm teeth health.
On the other hand, chocolate is less sticky and acidic. Dark chocolate is the best choice if you need to eat candies.
It contains less sugar and offers antioxidants that can keep bacteria from sticking to your teeth.
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