Patients and doctors recognise that there are many foods and drinks that can damage the integrity of a tooth. You may ask yourself whether coffee or acidic drinks can permanently damage your teeth. However, this is a common question that most people know the answer to. The only answer to this question is yes.
Are there some foods and habits that can also benefit the integrity of your teeth?
General dental hygiene habits are good for your teeth, but there are also many foods that can help you achieve a better and whiter smile than you have today. In fact, different types of foods that intensify your saliva production are ideal for cleaning your teeth naturally. The extra saliva in your mouth allows food debris to move away from the teeth and allows you to neutralise acidic foods while they are in your mouth. Tooth enamel is one of the hardest substances in the body but is weak when it encounters acidic foods, so your saliva is important. Foods that can help with this include cheese, milk and sugar-free gums and drinks.
Now, if you like a fish dish, you may find it surprising that eating flaxseed alongside it can help prevent gum disease. Gum disease is inflammation of the gums that can affect the appearance of your smile and the health of your teeth. Fish and flaxseed are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help prevent gingivitis, which can lead to gum disease.
Of course, you should also avoid certain foods and drinks that can harm your oral health. These include sugary and acidic drinks, snacks. All of these foods cause bacterial growth, which increases the concentration of acid that leads to cavities and erodes the enamel. Also, remember that some starchy foods can increase the acid level in your mouth. Potatoes, pasta and rice are some of them. As I mentioned before, coffee, tea, cola can stain your teeth and erode your enamel.