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 the enamel or its darkening - all this is closely related to the peculiarities of nutrition. There are foods that lead to a strong multiplication of bacterial flora in the mouth. And most often this category includes the food loved by the majority. But there are also he althy products for teeth that strengthen enamel and prevent plaque.
Relationship of diseases of the teeth and gums with food
All products that a person consumes nourish not only the body, but also the bacteria living in the oral cavity. If the food contains a large amount of carbohydrates, especially sugar, a favorable environment is created for microorganisms. In the process of life, they convert sugar into acid, which leaches minerals from tooth enamel. Therebyenamel sensitivity develops. Then cracks appear on it, through which bacteria penetrate. Caries, pulpitis and periodontitis develop. Foods also affect gum he alth. For example, acids found in some drinks or fruits corrode tissues, leading to gingivitis, stomatitis, and sores.
But there are also foods that are good for teeth. They help remove plaque, massage and strengthen the gums, improve blood circulation and metabolic processes, destroy bacteria and promote enamel mineralization. To maintain oral he alth, you need to include them in your diet every day.
The harmful effects of carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are essential for the human body to produce energy. They begin to split already in the oral cavity. And the bacteria that live there feed on glucose. Especially harmful are foods that contain refined sugar. These are confectionery products. It is these sweets, so loved by many, that destroy teeth.
In addition, carbohydrate foods are bad for teeth because they are soft. In order for tooth enamel to receive all the necessary nutrients, it is necessary that they are subjected to regular stress. This improves the blood supply to the gums. And carbohydrate foods (pastries, bread, pastries, pasta) are too bland.
What destroys tooth enamel
Teeth are protected from external influences with the help of a thin film - tooth enamel. It has a porous structure, so through itminerals that strengthen teeth can penetrate. But if the food contains harmful components, the enamel is destroyed. There are other factors negatively affecting her.
- The habit of chewing or drinking something all the time does not allow the enamel to recover. After all, this process occurs in between meals. And the constant presence of food in the oral cavity leads to the multiplication of bacteria and the development of caries.
- Acids found in carbonated drinks or some fruit juices have a negative effect on tooth enamel. In this case, the so-called non-caries destruction develops.
- Extremely hot and very cold foods are bad for teeth. Especially if they alternate in one meal. Due to a sharp temperature drop, cracks form on the enamel.
Which foods are bad for teeth
It is believed that 90% of oral he alth depends on the food a person consumes. 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 foods that are harmful to teeth as little as possible:
- Coffee and other caffeinated drinks prevent the absorption of calcium, contribute to dehydration. In addition, with excessive coffee consumption, tooth enamel becomes yellowish.
- Oddly enough, ordinary black tea can be harmful to teeth. Often there is a high concentration of fluoride in its leaves.
- Carbonated drinks contain a lot of sugar, acids, dyes andother harmful substances that destroy teeth.
- White bread, pasta, muffins, chips and other foods containing starch lead to the accumulation of plaque and bacteria.
- Alcoholic beverages decrease salivation and lead to essential nutrient deficiencies.
Good for teeth
Vitamins and minerals are necessary for the normal formation of teeth in childhood, and then to maintain them in a he althy state:
- calcium is found in cottage cheese, sea fish, sesame, raisins, soybeans, walnuts;
- fluorine can be obtained from boiled potatoes, buckwheat, whole grain flour, greens;
- Meat is a source of vitamin B12, essential for he althy gums;
- vitamin C prevents bleeding gums and tooth loss, it is abundant in lemons, apples, currants, sauerkraut.
In addition, the teeth need a load. Only the regular use of coarse-fiber food helps to accelerate blood circulation and metabolic processes. Chewing on fresh vegetables, such as carrots, helps keep plaque off the surface of your teeth.
Dairy
It has long been believed that the best source of calcium is milk. But now there is an opinion that it is not so useful, especially if it is manufactured industrially. And modern sweet dairy products are only harmful for tooth enamel. Sugar interferes with the absorption of calcium, so smoothies, fruit yogurts and ice cream should be consumed less.
Usefulfor teeth is cheese. It contains a lot of casein and phosphates. Chewing cheese is believed to help repair tooth enamel and prevent cavities. A large amount of calcium is found in cottage cheese. In addition, there is phosphorus, which enhances its effect.
Vegetables and fruits
Plant foods are the he althiest foods for teeth and gums. Vegetables and fruits contain many vitamins and minerals that are essential for oral he alth. In addition to enriching the enamel with calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, fluorine and other trace elements, vegetables and fruits have a massaging effect. They improve blood circulation in the gums and clean the teeth from soft plaque. In addition, chewing hard fruits and vegetables stimulates salivation. But it is precisely from its lack that many diseases of the oral cavity develop. All vegetables and fruits are good for teeth, especially when fresh:
- Greens are rich in vitamins and minerals. It is able to strengthen blood vessels and whiten enamel. For example, dill freshens breath and kills bacteria.
- Berries contain pectins, organic acids and other trace elements. Some may prevent tooth decay, such as cranberries and grapes.
- Doctors have an ambiguous attitude to citrus fruits. Grapefruit is believed to reduce bleeding gums and reduce inflammation, while lime prevents tooth decay. They are able to destroy bacteria and strengthen the gums. At the same time, all citrus fruits contain a large amount of organic acids, which candestroy enamel.
Seafood
These are also very he althy foods for teeth. All seafood contains a lot of calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamins D and B1. Namely, these trace elements are the source of building and strengthening bone tissue. Therefore, the use of such food helps to prevent dental disease. The following products are especially useful:
- shrimps are a source of easily digestible calcium, phosphorus, potassium, fluorine, therefore they prevent the destruction of enamel;
- any fish is rich in selenium, calcium, iodine and fluoride, which protect teeth from caries;
- seaweed contains a lot of iodine and beneficial amino acids.
What to drink for he althy teeth
A sufficient amount of liquid is necessary for the normal flow of all processes in the body. Its deficiency also affects the he alth of the oral cavity. First of all, because of this, very little saliva is produced. The oral cavity dries up, bacteria begin to multiply actively here. Saliva is a very important means of strengthening enamel and protecting against caries.
It is best to drink ordinary clean water. It is she who promotes the formation of saliva with a composition that protects the enamel from destruction and nourishes it with minerals.
Besides water, it is good for teeth to drink herbal teas. If they are consumed 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 they are brewed from. They relieve inflammation, swellingand pain, strengthen enamel, improve blood circulation, destroy bacteria. The most useful teas are chamomile, mint, St. John's wort, oregano, sage, calendula.
Best Foods for Dental He alth
If you eat a varied diet, refusing junk food, the oral cavity can be kept he althy. But it is still recommended to ensure that foods that are good for teeth are included in the daily diet:
- Raw vegetables - carrots, beets, pumpkin, cabbage, radishes and others not only provide the tissues of the teeth and gums with essential nutrients. Chewing these products provides gum massage and cleansing of plaque from the surface of the teeth.
- Chicken eggs contain almost all trace elements necessary for he alth. They are especially rich in vitamin D. This helps them protect teeth from decay and strengthen gums.
- Honey is rich in vitamins and minerals. It has antibacterial properties, so it can treat incipient oral diseases.
- Good foods to strengthen teeth are nuts. In addition to vitamins and minerals, they contain many essential amino acids. Cashew strengthens tooth enamel and destroys bacteria, pine nuts accelerate cell regeneration and normalize the condition of nerve fibers.
Best Teeth Whitening Products
Over time, tooth enamel can darken. Especially often this happens among coffee and black tea lovers, smokers and alcohol abusers. It is difficult to lighten the enamel, many products are aggressive and moredestroy it more. But there are products for whiter teeth. If you use them regularly, there will be a safe lightening of the enamel. Of course, it is difficult to achieve the same effect as from dental procedures in this way, but you can get rid of darkening and yellowness. To do this, you need to use the best teeth whitening products:
- nuts clean the enamel from plaque and stains;
- apples have the ability not only to mechanically clean teeth, but also to lighten them by 1-2 tones with regular use;
- strawberries contain acids that destroy dark plaque on enamel;
- carrot promotes increased blood circulation and increased salivation;
- celery helps to destroy bacteria and effectively cope with dark plaque;
- broccoli can restore teeth to their natural whiteness.
