Human food not only saturates the body with nutrients, but also affects all parts of the digestive system, which begins in the mouth. Diseases of the teeth and gums, the appearance of an unpleasant odor, the development of sensitivity of enamel or its darkening - all this is closely related to the characteristics of nutrition. There are products that lead to a strong reproduction of the bacterial flora in the mouth. And most often this category includes food that is loved by the majority. But there are also useful dental products that strengthen enamel and prevent plaque.
The relationship of diseases of the teeth and gums with food
All products that a person consumes, nourish not only the body, but also bacteria that live in the oral cavity. If a large amount of carbohydrates is present in food, especially sugar, a favorable environment is created for microorganisms. In the process of life, they convert sugar into acid, which flushes minerals out of tooth enamel. As a result, enamel sensitivity develops. Then cracks appear on it, through which bacteria penetrate. Caries, pulpitis and periodontitis develop. Products also affect gum health. For example, acids contained in some drinks or fruits corrode tissues, leading to the appearance of gingivitis, stomatitis, and sores.
But there are foods that are good for your teeth. They help remove plaque, massage and strengthen the gums, improve blood circulation and metabolic processes, destroy bacteria and contribute to the enamel mineralization. To maintain oral health, you must include them daily in your diet.
What is harmful carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are necessary for the human body to generate energy. They begin to break down already in the oral cavity. And the bacteria that live there feed on glucose. Especially harmful are such products for teeth that contain refined sugar. These are confectionery, sweets. It is these sweets, so beloved by many, that destroy teeth.
In addition, carbohydrate products for teeth are harmful because they are soft. In order for tooth enamel to receive all the necessary nutrients, they need to be subjected to regular exercise. It improves blood supply to the gums. And the food consisting of carbohydrates (pastries, bread, pastries, pasta) is too soft.
What destroys tooth enamel
The teeth are protected from external influences using a thin film - tooth enamel. It has a porous structure, so minerals that strengthen teeth can penetrate through it. But if the food contains harmful components, the enamel is destroyed. There are other factors that negatively affect her.
- The habit of chewing or drinking something all the time does not allow the enamel to recover. After all, this process takes place between meals. And the constant presence of food in the oral cavity leads to the multiplication of bacteria and the development of caries.
- Acids contained in carbonated drinks or some fruit juices negatively affect tooth enamel. In this case, the so-called non-caries destruction develops.
- Very hot and very cold food is harmful to teeth. Especially if they alternate in one meal. Due to the sharp temperature difference, cracks form on the enamel.
What foods are bad for teeth
It is believed that 90% of oral health depends on the food that a person eats. Any food not only supplies the body with the necessary and unnecessary substances, but also affects the gums, tooth enamel. Therefore, it is better to eat products that are harmful to the teeth as little as possible:
- Coffee and other caffeinated drinks interfere with the absorption of calcium, contribute to dehydration. In addition, with excessive use of coffee, tooth enamel becomes yellowish.
- Oddly enough, ordinary black tea can be harmful to teeth. Often a large concentration of fluoride is observed in its leaves.
- Carbonated drinks contain a lot of sugar, acids, dyes and other harmful substances that destroy teeth.
- White bread, pasta, muffin, chips and other products containing starch lead to the accumulation of plaque and the growth of bacteria.
- Alcoholic beverages reduce salivation and lead to a deficiency of essential nutrients.
What is good for teeth
For the normal formation of teeth in childhood, and then to maintain them in a healthy state, vitamins and minerals are needed:
- calcium is found in cottage cheese, sea fish, sesame seeds, raisins, soy, walnuts;
- fluoride can be obtained from boiled potatoes, buckwheat, whole grain flour, herbs;
- the source of vitamin B12 necessary for gum health is meat;
- Vitamin C prevents bleeding of the gums and tooth loss, there are a lot of it in lemons, apples, currants, sauerkraut.
In addition, the teeth need a load. Only regular consumption of coarse fiber food helps to accelerate blood circulation and metabolic processes. Chewing fresh vegetables, such as carrots, helps to clean the surface of the teeth from plaque.
Milk products
It has long been believed that milk is the best source of calcium. But now an opinion has appeared that it is not so useful, especially if it is manufactured industrially. And modern sweet dairy products for tooth enamel are only harmful. Sugar interferes with the absorption of calcium, so shakes, fruit yoghurts and ice cream are best consumed less.
Cheese is good for teeth. It contains a lot of casein and phosphates. Chewing cheese is believed to help restore tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. A large amount of calcium is found in cottage cheese. In addition, there is phosphorus, enhancing its action.
Vegetables and fruits
Plant foods are the most healthy foods for teeth and gums. Vegetables and fruits contain many vitamins and minerals necessary for oral health. In addition to enriching enamel with calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, fluorine and other trace elements, vegetables and fruits have a massaging effect. They help improve blood circulation in the gums and cleanse teeth from soft plaque. In addition, chewing hard fruits and vegetables stimulates the release of saliva. But it is precisely from its lack that many diseases of the oral cavity develop. All fruits and vegetables are good for your teeth, especially when fresh:
- Greens are rich in a lot of vitamins and minerals. It is able to strengthen blood vessels and bleach enamel. For example, dill freshens breath and destroys bacteria.
- Berries contain pectins, organic acids and other trace elements. Some may prevent tooth decay, such as cranberries and grapes.
- Doctors have a mixed attitude towards citrus fruits. It is believed that grapefruit reduces bleeding gums and relieves inflammation, while lime prevents tooth decay. They are able to destroy bacteria and strengthen gums. At the same time, all citrus fruits contain a large amount of organic acids, which can destroy enamel.
Seafood
These are also very healthy dental products. All seafood contains a lot of calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamins D and B1. Namely, these microelements are the source of building and strengthening bone tissue. Therefore, the use of such food helps prevent tooth disease. Especially useful are such products:
- shrimp are a source of easily assimilable calcium, phosphorus, potassium, fluorine, and therefore prevent the destruction of enamel;
- any fish is rich in selenium, calcium, iodine and fluorine, which protect teeth from caries;
- kale contains a lot of iodine and healthy amino acids.
What to drink to keep your teeth healthy
A sufficient amount of fluid is necessary for the normal course of all processes in the body. Its lack is also reflected in the health of the oral cavity. First of all, because of this, very little saliva is produced. The oral cavity dries up, bacteria actively begin to multiply here. Saliva is a very important way to strengthen enamel and protect against tooth decay.
It is best to drink plain plain water. It is she who contributes to the formation of saliva with a composition that protects the enamel from destruction and nourishes it with mineral substances.
In addition to water for teeth, it is useful to drink herbal teas. If they are used without sugar, then in addition to stimulating the formation of saliva and cleansing the oral cavity, they have a therapeutic effect, depending on which herbs are brewed. They relieve inflammation, swelling and pain, strengthen enamel, improve blood circulation, and destroy bacteria. The most useful are teas from chamomile, mint, St. John's wort, oregano, sage, calendula.
Best Dental Health Products
If you eat varied, refusing junk food, you can keep your mouth healthy. But still it is recommended to ensure that products that are useful for teeth are included in the diet daily:
- Raw vegetables - carrots, beets, pumpkins, cabbage, radishes and others not only provide the tissues of the teeth and gums with the necessary nutrients. When chewing these products, gum massage and plaque cleansing from the surface of the teeth are provided.
- Chicken eggs contain almost all the necessary minerals for health. They are especially rich in vitamin D. This helps them protect their teeth from decay and strengthen their gums.
- Honey is rich in vitamins and minerals. It has antibacterial properties, so it can treat incipient oral diseases.
- Good foods to strengthen your teeth are nuts. In addition to vitamins and minerals, they contain many essential amino acids. Cashew fortifies tooth enamel and destroys bacteria, pine nuts accelerate cell regeneration processes and normalize the condition of nerve fibers.
Best teeth whitening products
Over time, tooth enamel may darken. Especially often this happens among coffee and black tea lovers, smokers and alcohol abuse. It is difficult to lighten enamel, many products are aggressive and destroy it even more. But there are products for whiteness of teeth. If you use them regularly, a safe enamel brightening will occur. Of course, it is difficult to achieve the same effect as dental procedures in this way, but you can get rid of darkening and yellowness. To do this, use the best teeth whitening products:
- nuts clean the enamel from plaque and stains;
- apples have the property of not only mechanically brushing their teeth, but also lightening them by 1-2 tones with regular use;
- strawberries contain acids that destroy dark plaque on enamel;
- carrots contribute to increased blood circulation and increased salivation;
- celery helps to destroy bacteria and effectively copes with a dark coating;
- broccoli can restore teeth to their natural whiteness.