Tooth-Friendly Foods

Eating For A Healthier Smile in Ajax, ON

The foods you eat can have a huge effect on your teeth. Acids and sugars can disturb the pH in your mouth which can lead to erosion or cavities. A low pH (acidity) in the mouth is an ideal environment for bacteria to start attacking the teeth. Learn about tooth-friendly foods and which foods to avoid.

Foods With Adverse Effects On Teeth

• Citrus fruit
  While foods like oranges and grapefruits are healthy for the body, the acidity can harm the teeth. The acid will erode the enamel and weaken it. Once the enamel is gone, it cannot come back. Rinsing with water after consuming something acidic is recommended to help bring the pH level back up.
• Candies
  Candies that are chewy or sticky will stick to the teeth for a long time. This will allow the bacteria to feed off the sugar and can lead to a cavity. The stickier the candy, like toffee, can be even worse due to the duration of time that it will stick to your teeth.
• Soda
  Sodas are not only high in sugar but very high in acid. Even though you may choose a sugar-free soda, the acid content is enough to cause erosion. The longer you sip the soda, the more acidic your mouth will be and for a longer period.

Tooth-Friendly Foods

Vegetables such as carrots or celery are an excellent choice for teeth-friendly foods. The vegetables naturally scrub the teeth and can clean some of the plaque off in the process. Dairy is also another good choice of food. Having some cheese can neutralize the pH in your mouth, which is a more favourable environment for the bacteria in the mouth. Milk is also a good source of calcium. However it is important to note that milk also contains natural sugars. It is always best to rinse with some water after consumption of something acidic.

Of course, the best thing you can have to keep your teeth healthy is water. Most city water contains fluoride which helps to strengthen the enamel and help prevent cavities. Rinsing with water can also help wash off some of the sugar or acid.

Visit Our Ajax Dentist Today

Along with a healthy diet, routine visits with your dentist in Ajax, ON can be important to your oral health. Book an appointment with your dentist today if you have any other questions about the health of your teeth.