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Do you dream of having a healthy and radiant smile? We all know that it is important to regularly brush and floss to have a strong set of teeth, but there are a lot of other healthy habits you can practice to maintain better oral health. Along with regular dental consultations, you have to make sure you eat foods that are good for your teeth. 

What foods should you avoid?

Sugar:Refined sugar can take a toll on your teeth. Sweet snacks have higher chances of getting stuck between your teeth and the bacteria present in your mouth convert the sugar into exopolysaccharide, which is a sticky substance. Harmful bacteria which ruin the oral health of a person have an affinity towards this substance, allowing them to grow.

Acidic foods: We all know that lemonade is a great detox drink and definitely an ideal way to start your day. While it balances your body’s pH, drinking citrus juices throughout the day is not good for your oral health. Your teeth can become sensitive due to an acidic oral environment.

Ice:You may assume that ice is just water and there is nothing to worry about. However, it can worsen the hypersensitivity issues of the teeth and lead to failure of tooth restorations (as their expansion and contraction rate is different from that of the tooth).

Alcohol: Having a good drink once in a while can soothe the mind and body. However, when it comes to oral health, alcohol is not good for the teeth as it is highly acidic and contains a lot of sugar. Alcohol also inhibits saliva production. 

Wheat and grains:Some grains like wheat and barley have gluten and phytic acid, which usually takes a lot of time to digest. These grains can leach important minerals, such as calcium, from your body. This can result in the loss of important minerals from your teeth and bones. They also create an acidic oral environment and can lead to enamel erosion.

What are the best foods for your teeth? 

• Vegetables and fruits that are rich in fiber are good for your teeth. They initiate production of saliva and help washing off of food residues and with the digestion of food.
• Dairy products such as plain yogurt, cheese, and milk make your teeth strong as they contain a lot of minerals such as Calcium and Phosphates.
• Green and black tea are excellent for maintaining good oral health as they contain polyphenols. They kill unwanted bacteria and interact with plaque bacteria in the mouth. This helps in preventing the production of acid by the bacteria.
• Eatables that contain fluoride can give a lot to your teeth. Any product that contains fluoride, such as powdered juices, commercially prepared foods, powdered cereals, and seafood are very beneficial.
• Nuts and seeds are amazing mouth-friendly snacks as they contain high amounts of Calcium and Phosphorus. Almonds, cashews, and peanuts are excellent sources of these minerals. However, they have higher chances of getting stuck on/in between the teeth, which is why a thorough oral rinsing is required after eating them.
• Celery and carrots are very good for your teeth as they contain a lot of water. They are crunchy and help in scrubbing tooth surfaces as well.

Try avoiding snacking between meals as it could increase the chances of developing cavities. Drinking more water will definitely help in the prevention of tooth decay.