While good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist are important, diet plays a fundamental role in dental health.
When eating, snacking or drinking a soft drink with sugar, cariogenic bacteria make their appearance and a demineralization process takes place that is very dangerous for oral health. Between meals, saliva comes into action to neutralize the acids produced and promote remineralization of the teeth.
If harmful foods or beverages are taken repeatedly during the day, the teeth do not have time to complete this process and the dreaded cavities will soon make their appearance. Therefore, it is important to avoid eating between meals; chew sugarless gum to promote salivation; and perform proper oral hygiene with a good fluoride toothpaste.
Foods beneficial for dental health:
Dairy products, in general, natural yogurt and cheese, which, due to their high calcium content, help prevent dental fragility.
Strawberries, kiwis and peaches are very rich in vitamin C, which stimulate the immune system and help prevent tooth and gum disease.
Apples and pears, which contain a lot of water and increase saliva production, which helps to limit the risk of tooth decay.
Foods harmful to dental health:
Potato chips, snacks, cakes, caramelized nuts, soft drinks and acidic juices. Sugar is not directly responsible for tooth decay, but it is used by bacteria, which transform it into acids. As for citrus juices, it is best to drink them through a straw to avoid weakening the enamel.
After eating, nothing better than rinsing the mouth with water to remove food particles deposited between the teeth and, if it is not possible to brush the teeth, chew sugarless gum.
