A proper diet ensures health, well-being and proper weight. It’s the same with the health of teeth. Below we give some advice on what to eat to have beautiful and healthy teeth.
It is important to remember that the diet of a pregnant woman affects not only her teeth and gum health but also the state of her child’s teeth.
Bitter truth about sugar:
Sugar is the enemy of your teeth as it is apartners with plaque, increasing the acidity in your mouth and weakening enamel which can lead to cavities. This is why sweet and sticky products, such as jellies and fudge, are absolutely forbidden! In fact, each time you eat a sugary snack, your teeth are under seige for the next 20 minutes. If you simply can't resist try limiting your intake to once a week, after a proper meal, and ensure to brush your teeth after eating. If you don't have a toothbrush or toothpaste to hand simply rinsing your mouth out will help to stimulate the production of saliva, avoiding a harmfully low pH.
Food choices that help prevent tooth decay
- Fruit, Fibre and Veggies - Eating high-fibre foods keeps saliva flowing, which helps create mineral defences against tooth decay. Good sources of fibre are dried fruits such as dates, raisins and figs, and fresh fruits, like bananas, apples and oranges. Other options include veggies, such as beans, Brussels sprouts and peas, along with peanuts, almonds and bran.
- Whole Grains - Whole grains provide B vitamins and iron, which help keep gums healthy. Whole grains also have magnesium, an important ingredient for bones and teeth. In addition, whole grains are high in fibre. Foods including bran, brown rice, and whole-grain cereals and pasta are all great sources of whole grains.
- Calcium is responsible for building enamel and so is vital to strong and healthy teeth. Foods such as yogurts, buttermilk, cheese and fish (both canned and smoked) are all high in calcium as are leguminous vegetables and a variety of seeds, particularly poppy and sesame.
- The Food Pyramid - When looking to follow a healthy diet that's good for your teeth and the rest of your body, try sticking to the food pyramid. The pyramid is structured to give you a healthy serving of all the necessary food groups you need throughout the day.