The teeth say a lot about a person’s overall health. Certain food and beverages can damage teeth. A common oral health concern is plaque, a bacteria-filled sticky film that can lead to serious gum diseases and tooth decay. To best care for your teeth, aside from regularly visiting a dentist in Brampton, you also need to know the most common tooth problems and where you get them.
- Toothache
How religiously do you follow your dental health routine? If you are not brushing and flossing regularly, you may experience a swelling or pus around your tooth. It is characterized by stabbing pain and, in some cases, a fever. Dentists can recommend pain relievers and antibiotics to stop the pain.
- Stains
Teeth staining is a very rampant issue. Foods, tobacco, medications, and trauma are just a few of the things that can cause staining. The good news is, most of the blotches and discoloration can be corrected by bleaching and a special light. Visit a dental office in Guelph to help you address your concern.
- Cavities
Having little holes in your teeth is a bad sign. You can get them when there is plaque build-up on your teeth. It is a stick bacteria that destroys the outer shell of the teeth that leads to gum diseases and tooth decay.
- Chipping
A chipped tooth is a dental injury caused by impact to the teeth or even by simply biting on hard or chewy food. Dentists would recommend wearing a crown for large chips or bond a strong resin to replace the area.
- Cracking
There are many reasons for cracked teeth but the good news is, dentists can help you. They can recommend crowns to prevent the crack from worsening. You also need to avoid hot or cold drinks if you experience sensitivity. Depending on the position of the teeth, further treatments like a root canal may be requested.
- Gum Problems
Do you see blood when you brush your teeth? Do you have tender gums? Is it pulling away from your teeth? Gum disease, also popularly known as gingivitis, is a very common oral health problem. This is caused by plaque building up below the gum line. When untreated, it can cause bone loss, teeth shifting, and even tooth loss. Mild cases are treatable with good oral habits but serious cases may deem longer treatment.
How to Keep Healthy Teeth with Food
Taking care of your teeth doesn’t have to be difficult. You can help your teeth not only by brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly but also by eating right. According to the American Dental Association, having healthy food choices and eating patterns can help prevent tooth decay.
If you are ready to take the first step of your journey to a healthier smile, make sure to stock up on these foods:
- Dairy Products (Cheese, Milk, and Yogurt)
Photo by Alex Green
Cheese is a great food choice because it is low in sugar and high in calcium. The protein casein and phosphate are helpful for keeping teeth enamel strong. Calcium is good for increasing bone density. Finally, cheese increases saliva production that wash away bacteria in the mouth.
On the other hand, milk is a good choice because of the calcium and important elements it contains. It can also help lower the acid levels of the mouth to fight off tooth decay.
Yogurt is also a dairy product you can eat for the calcium and probiotics that keep cavities, gum disease, and bad breath away.
- Water
Water is the healthiest drink available because the human body is in itself 60% composed of it. Keeping yourself hydrated distributes healthy nutrients throughout the body, gets rid of waste, gives the skin a healthy glow, and keeps the muscles moving. If you are consuming fluoridated water can keep the teeth healthy as it fights off cavities and wash away food particles.
- Crunchy Vegetables like Celery and Carrots
Vegetables are generally good for the teeth because they require chewing. If you are looking to munch on something that will clean teeth surfaces, pick crunchy vegetables like celery and carrots. They help stimulate the flow of saliva to scrub away food particles and bacteria. Even better, these vegetables have vitamins and minerals that keep the gums and teeth healthy. Carrots contain keratin, vitamin C, and calcium while celery’s fibrous texture and mainly water component naturally cleans the teeth.
- Leafy Greens
Photo by Alex Green
Eating your greens is healthy for you. Because they are rich in calcium, folic acid, and other vitamins and minerals, they protect the gum from harmful plaque buildup. When served as salads and sandwiches, they help clean the teeth.
- Apples and Pears
Apples and pears are crunchy and fibrous fruits that help clean the teeth and increase salivation. Eat them fresh to stimulate the gums and reduce cavity-causing bacteria. Unlike other fruits, pears and apples can help neutralize mouth acids which make them ideal for fighting tooth decay.
- Nuts
Nuts are packed with nutrients like calcium and phosphorus that help fight cavity-causing bacteria. Other varieties like peanuts are excellent sources of vitamin D and calcium which also help keep the teeth and gum healthy. Cashews and walnuts are most helpful for keeping good oral health with fibre, iron, folic acid, thiamine, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, niacin, potassium, and zinc to give eaters.
- Tea and Coffee
Yes, tea and coffee can stain the teeth but this concern aside, both drinks have polyphenols, chemicals that combat cell damage, reduce inflammation, and help fight cancer.
Protein in meat and fish help keep the teeth strong. Since they take a while to chew, more saliva is produced which helps decrease mouth acidity. The phosphorus in fatty fish also helps protect the tooth enamel.
Keeping a healthy set of teeth should not be difficult. Children are especially prone to cavities. Childcare experts in Newmarket can attest that healthy eating can protect the dental health of your child.
In addition to keeping your good oral hygiene practices of brushing and flossing, you can keep your mouth healthy by eating right. Choose healthy and fresh food for a beautiful smile.
Also – for those seeking some stylish options, you can always look into grillz teeth or fake teeth and check out how to whiten teeth.
