Christmas, Easter, birthdays, festivals, and other festivities; what should you and shouldn’t you eat during celebrations to protect your teeth?
The first stop food takes on its way into our bodies, is in the oral cavity, where it is primarily ground, and we begin to digest the given bite. If we wish to protect our teeth, we have to take into consideration multiple factors, including the quality of the food as well. Tooth decay is primarily caused by gluey tartar that builds up on your teeth, combined with the bacteria in it and the acidic environment. Should the Ph level of the oral cavity drop below 5.7, the tooth enamel becomes more fragile, and irreversible processes may start to develop, such as the small, white patches that can lead to cavities. If you notice these kinds of patches on your teeth and you are worried about oral hygiene, make sure you consult with our specialists at the Hungarian Dental Clinic in Letterkenny.
What kinds of food particles stick to your teeth?
It is a well-known fact that carbohydrates (sugar, starch) cause damage to the tooth enamel; however, it may be less known that the food particles can be found on the surface of your teeth long after you consumed the dish itself are what causes tooth erosion. Meals with high sugar content do not necessarily lead to decay, but for example, bread and biscuits may do damage to the enamel since they can be traced on the surface of the tooth hours after consumption. Knowing this might make you worry about proper tooth cleaning procedures; do not hesitate to ask for help and educational sources from our dentists at Letterkenny. They can also inform you about the different facial aesthetic procedures that our clinic offers.
How about acidic meals?
Acidic foods, for example as citruses, carbonated drinks, or pickles, can decrease the Ph level of your mouth, and as such, are risk factors. It also has to be mentioned that they can only make long-term damage to our teeth if they have the time to do so, or to put it differently, if they are in our oral cavity long enough. That is why constant snacking and drinking sugary refreshers mean a day-long trauma to the enamel.
Does this mean you cannot drink sweets during the holidays?
No, of course not. You can snack on your favourite dishes, biscuits, and cookies, as most nations and families have their traditions about what to eat during Christmas, Easter, or even on someone’s birthday, and you should not withdraw them from yourself. However, you should also be aware that there are meals that help to protect your teeth by not decreasing the Ph level in your mouth, or even by cleaning the surface of your teeth.
Cheese
The first item on our list is cheese. They help to keep your Ph level balanced and healthy, therefore grabbing a bite of cheese after a bigger meal can greatly help you avoid developing cavities.
Tea
Whether you prefer green or black tea, the polyphenols in tea slow down the multiplication of the bacteria that cause cavities and erosion. Rinsing for a couple of minutes with tea every day can prevent developing plaque on our teeth, or even help to treat the ones we already have.
Raisins
Raisins, just like tea, also stop the spread of certain bacteria that would eventually lead to tooth decay. They also help you either prevent or treat gum disease, depending on the severity of your case. We have an article that may help you recognize the symptoms of gum disease, but if you believe you might have started developing it, feel free to reach out to our dentists at the Hungarian Dental Clinic.
Blueberry
Blueberries also contain polyphenol, which prevents the build-up of tartar on your teeth, and therefore you will be less likely to have cavities.
Milk
Drinking milk after having eaten chocolate or cake might benefit your teeth more than just simply taking a sip of water. It decreases the level of acidity in your mouth, and therefore, it is recommended to drink milk with every biscuit.
Raw fruits and vegetables
Chewing, in itself, has its cleansing effects, but it also advances saliva production, so an apple a day may also keep the dentist away.
If you still have questions or doubts about your oral hygiene or your teeth, you are more than welcome to reach out to the dentists of the Hungarian Dental Clinic at Letterkenny. We are more than prepared to guide you through the possible procedures or actions that you might need to take to have the perfect smile you have been longing for. But preferring the meals and drinks listed above might also help you keep your teeth healthy.
