Everyone knows sugar is bad for their teeth, but relatively few people take the time or effort to find out exactly why this is the case, or how making slight changes to their daily eating and drinking habits could have long term benefits for their dental health and overall wellbeing.
Bacteria in your mouth convert sugars into acids, which erode the enamel and cause cavities to form. By reducing your sugar intake, you can avoid feeding these bacteria and instantly improve your oral health. Any foods rich in sugar and starch can contribute to tooth decay, which is why brushing is especially important after eating these types of foods.
Instead of sweets, chocolate and other confectionery, consider substituting these snacks for cheeses and nuts, which add valuable calcium and phosphorous to your teeth and can strengthen the enamel. These are also found in foods and drinks such as milk, chicken and other meats. Fruit is especially good for your teeth, particularly hard fruits such as apples and pears that contain large amounts of water and help to wash away food particles and acid. Citrus fruits and other fruits that contain sugars and acid should preferably be eaten as part of meals or dessert dishes though, as this will reduce the amount of acid consumed.
If you find yourself craving a sugar fix, sugar substitutes such as erythritol, isomalt, sorbitol and mannitol can offer a similar taste without the tooth decay, as these are digested differently and are not consumed by bacteria in the mouth. Opting for sugar-free alternatives can be especially important in the case of carbonated drinks, as regular Coca Cola and similar drinks contain an average of ten teaspoons of sugar in every can, compared to no sugar in Diet Coke and equivalents. Sports drinks can be similarly bad for teeth, and should preferably be drunk through a straw to minimise contact with tooth surfaces.
Water is far and away the best option when it comes to cleaning food particles from your mouth and helping you avoid dental treatment, especially when water has been fluoridated to strengthen tooth enamel. Unsweetened tea is better for your teeth than coffee, and brushing your teeth regularly will reduce the risk of staining, which also applies to strong coloured drinks such as red wine. Chewing sugar-free gum can also be beneficial for oral health, as chewing stimulates saliva production and can help to neutralise mouth acids.
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