Oral health affects a person's ability to eat, speak, and smile. Even a decline in oral health can affect one's self-esteem.
Oral disease can range from cavities, gum disease, to oral cancer. Dental problems cause discomfort and even unbearable pain and disability to many people experiencing it.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 40 percent of American adults have reportedly experienced pain in their mouths.
Also, around 80 percent of people will have had at least one cavity by age 34.
Brushing your teeth alone is not enough to keep your teeth healthy. You must also consult your dentist once in a while. Most of all, know which foods are good and bad for your teeth.
Here are some of the foods you should avoid if you want great oral health:
Obesity is also known to be the main culprit for obesity. This can also be one of the worst foods for your teeth.
Soft drinks are high in acid, sugar, and attack your tooth enamel. If you drink them regularly, you might be putting your teeth to dental erosion, sensitivity, and cavities.
You might be fond of chewing dried fruits instead of candies. However, dried fruits can be bad for your oral health as it is sticky and sweet, and can be an excellent food source for bacteria that can cause tooth decay and erosion.
Any foods packed with too much sugar can be bad for your oral health as it forms a bacteria in your mouth that forms plaque. Plaque can be a major risk factor for cavities. Candies are not the only ones with too much added sugar. This also includes alcoholic beverages.
Chewing ice cubes, especially during a humid day, can be refreshing. But this might not be good practice for your teeth.
Eating ice cubes can affect the strength of your tooth enamel. When enamel has eroded, it is more sensitive to temperature changes and susceptible to cavities.
Anyone who stays away from white bread should probably continue doing so. Aside from gaining a few extra pounds from white bread, this can also impair your oral health. Simple carbohydrates in white bread can stick to your teeth.
Pasta is also included in this.
Here are some of the anti-cavity food you should eat:
Milk is rich in calcium and vitamin D, which is good for your oral health. However, children should not suck on a bottle of milk until they fall asleep, which might cause more harm than good.
Yogurt can also help you strengthen your teeth. Yogurt helps re-mineralize tooth enamel while decreasing mouth acidity.
Make sure to choose a sugar-free variant to reap its benefits fully.
Nuts contain protein and healthy fat, which helps get rid of harmful bacteria from the mouth. These also remove sticky fruits.
Stay away from nuts coated with honey, as this can lead to cavities.
Water might be the healing liquid of all time. Water makes you hydrates, also removes small food residue without the harmful effects of acidic and sugary drinks.
Check these out:
Breast Cancer Diet: Foods to Eat and to Avoid
Diet: The Solution to Scalp Problems
6 Ways You Can Enjoy Mangoes at Home