Food Fundas For Gum Health

DENTAL MATTERS

There is a saying, you are what you eat. And the best place that shows it is your mouth. This is because, there are many foods which cause plaque build-up. Plaque build-up can cause serious dental issues, as it causes gum disease and tooth decay.

After eating a food which has high sugar concentrate, the sugar causes the bacteria to release acids which attacks and breaks down the enamel leading to formation of cavities in our teeth. Cavities can cause serious problems like pain, tooth abscesses and chewing difficulties. When we do not brush our teeth and floss regularly, the plaque will harden and form tartar which leads to a gingivitis, an early form of gum disease.

To avoid plaque and to prevent your teeth from worse effects of gum health, avoiding certain food and beverages can help a lot. But that does not mean, you should avoid brushing your teeth twice and flossing your teeth or visiting your dentist. Read on to find out the foods which can limit your intake for a good gum health.

Sour candies

Candies are very harmful for the teeth. But sour candy contains different types of acid in high concentration, which can be very tough on your teeth. Additionally, sour candies are chewy, and they stick on your teeth for a long time. This may cause tooth decay. So, if you are craving for something sweet, you can opt for eating square shaped chocolates. You can chew these chocolates quickly and wash them easily too.

Bread

Bread tastes great and is a great breakfast staple. But think twice before purchasing a bread or walking down your bakery towards the bread stands. When you are chewing your bread, your saliva breaks down the starches into sugar. The bread breaks down into a gummy paste like substance, and it sticks to your teeth and in the crevices. This can cause cavity. So instead of having bread when you are craving for it, you can opt for less refined varieties like whole wheat. This whole wheat contains less sugar and they do not break down easily.

Alcohol

We all know, consumption of alcohol is harmful for your health. But many of us might not be aware that drinking also dries out our mouth. When your mouth becomes dry, it lacks saliva. And saliva is needed to keep our teeth healthy. Saliva wipes away food residue and keeps food from sticking to your teeth. Even the early stages of gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral infections can be repaired with it. Drink a lot of water, utilise fluoride rinses, and oral hydration products to keep your mouth moisturised.

Carbonated drinks

Even though soda or pop has the word "diet" on the can, many people are not aware that little, if any, benefit results from drinking it. According to studies, it was found that drinking large quantities of carbonated drinks, damages your teeth just like consuming drugs like cocaine. Sodas with carbonation encourage plaque to produce more acid, which damages tooth enamel.

Potato chips

For many of us, the crunch of a potato chip is satisfying. But there is a lot of starch in the chips. The starch transforms into sugar, which becomes lodged on and between the teeth and feeds the plaque-forming bacteria. The acid generation from the chips lingers and lasts a while because we rarely eat just one. After eating some, floss to get rid of the leftover bits.

Citrus

It is said consumption of too much of anything is bad for your health. The same goes for citrus fruits. Oranges, grapefruits, and lemons provide a lot of vitamin C and make delightful fruits and liquids. However, because of the acid they contain, teeth can become more susceptible to decay. Even adding a lemon or lime to water will impart acid to the beverage.