Did you know? When you drink and eat starchy and sugary foods, you are not only feeding yourself but also the bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque is a thin, invisible, sticky film of bacteria that covers all surfaces of all your teeth. When you consume too much sugary food and it comes into contact with plaque, it becomes acidic. This can break down the hard enamel on the tooth surface and lead to tooth decay. While some foods cause tooth decay, others help fight the build-up of harmful plaque. What is the best food for a healthy smile? Read below to find out what some of the top dentists in Miami, FL say about nutrition for your teeth.
Below are some foods that you should eat for a healthy and bright smile.
Milk and milk products
When it comes to the health of your teeth, dairy products are the most preferred. They are really low in sugar and high in calcium. They contain casein useful for strengthening tooth enamel.
Apart from fluoridated water, milk is the best drink when it comes to teeth. It is rich in calcium and other important elements. Milk also reduces acid levels in the mouth, which helps fight tooth decay.
Apples and pears are a strong protection measure
Eating apples can help you clean your teeth and increase salivation. This can neutralize the citric and malic acid left in the mouth. Chewing the fibrous texture of apples stimulates your gums. This further reduces cavity-causing bacteria and increases saliva flow. Raw pears and apples are great for neutralizing the acid that causes tooth decay.
Food with fluoride
Fluoridated drinking water or food containing fluoride can contribute to the beauty and health of your teeth. This includes powdered juices and dehydrated soups. Commercially prepared foods can also provide fluoride. Check in the composition.
Fruits and vegetables rich in fiber
Foods with fiber help keep teeth and gums clean, and will also promote the production of saliva, which will be great for defending against bacteria. Along with good dental care, this is the best defense against caries and gum disease.
Saliva contains traces of calcium and phosphate, so it is very important to eat fruits and vegetables rich in fiber in order to produce enough saliva.
Nuts
Nuts are full of health benefits for the whole body and therefore also for your teeth. They are full of important elements such as calcium and phosphorus.
They are also a source of calcium and vitamin D, and almonds offer good amounts of calcium, which is good for teeth and gums. They contain everything from fiber, folic acid, iron, thiamin, magnesium, iron, niacin, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium and zinc.
Chew sugar-free gum
Chewing gum after a meal is great for cleaning excess food and drink between your teeth when you are unable to brush your teeth.
Like crunchy, fibrous fruits and vegetables, chewing gum also helps stimulate the salivary glands in the mouth. Many types of sugar-free chewing gum are sweetened with a sugar alcohol known as xylitol, which naturally kills and reduces the amount of bacteria in the mouth.
Visit the dentist regularly
In order to maintain the optimal condition and health of your teeth, you still need to get professional advice from time to time. It is also very important that you know the condition of your gums, and the experts will also assess this and give you guidelines for healthy gums.
Therefore, it would be best to visit the dentist at least twice a year so that they can examine your whole mouth to prevent any dental problems. Whether there is a hidden cavity or stain that needs to be repaired, it is always best to stay ahead of it. This makes oral issues more manageable and prevents dental problems from becoming big and expensive to fix.
Healthy teeth are a key part of your overall health. Make an appointment today, so that we can further examine the condition of your teeth and gums to spot potential problems and help you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile. Call our office at 305-532-1444 in Miami Beach or 305-949-2630 for our North Miami Beach office.
Dr. Iral Lelchuk and Dr. Andrew Hirschl are experienced dentists that serve the South Florida community. They are experts in cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, dental veneers, dental implant restoration, and family dentistry. For more information visit their website https://www.miami-dental.net
