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Eating right has it’s own benefits. Yes, healthy eating habits certainly provide you with all the essential nutrients and keep your body fit. But at the same time it also ensures the perfect health for your teeth and gums. The right food will prevent the growth of bacteria keep your teeth away from cavities, gingivitis and other periodontal diseases. Here is a list of the good and the bad for your teeth.
THE GOOD FOODS
Calcium
Quite contrary to what many people think, the need for calcium does not end with the formation of teeth and bones. While the body needs calcium the maximum when the teeth are forming, there is a constant need after the formation too. The body constantly takes calcium from bones and teeth and replaces it with new supplies.
Considering the need for calcium by the body, you must always take foods rich in calcium. However mote calcium rich foods that are usually dairy products are high in calories too. Nevertheless, there are some low calorie calcium rich foods as well such as low fat milk, low fat yogurt, and calcium fortified orange juice along with some green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin D
While calcium adds to the strength of your bones and teeth, vitamin D helps the absorption of the calcium into the body. Thus with the right amount of calcium your body needs the right amount of Vitamin D too. Usually this essential vitamin is present in commercial milk. These days there are various other foods also available in the market that are fortified with Vitamin D. exposure to direct sunlight also results in the formation of Vitamin D within the body.
THE BAD FOODS
Sugar
Bacteria love to feed on the left over sugars in your mouth. And it is not just the white sugar that is bad for your teeth. All the near and dear ones of the sweet enemy such as maltose, lactose, fructose, dextrose, brown sugar and even honey can be equally bad. Since all market foods today contain sugar in some or the other form, cutting down on sugar totally can be a little difficult.
Starchy foods
Complex carbohydrates in the form of starchy foods can be even worst for your teeth. This is because the saliva may be able to dissolve and wipe away some of the sugars. But it is not able to remove the more sticky starchy food like your potato chips. These complex carbohydrates stick on to your teeth for long and prove to be the ultimate breeding ground for microorganisms.
Now that you know what your teeth like and what they don’t, it is time for you to be even more vigilant about what you eat.
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