Your teeth reflect what you eat!

We know eating unhealthy food can cause many health-related issues such as obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, and the list goes on. When they say you become what you eat, they are right. Unhealthy, sugary food affects your oral health and overall health. Many foods can harm your dental health as they cause plaque to build up around your teeth and gums. Plaque is a sticky layer that harbors harmful bacteria and provides an ideal home for it. These bacteria contribute to a plethora of dental problems and gum diseases.

The bacteria can turn the food debris and sugars into acids – if they linger for an extended period in the mouth and are not rinsed off by saliva. These acid attacks then damage the outer and the strongest layer of the tooth- the enamel. Once the enamel is gone, your tooth becomes prone to tooth decay. Tooth decay or dental cavities are extremely prevalent in people from 6-20 years of age. You know how when we were kids or in our teenage phase we would eat junk for fun, chew on candies and gums for God knows how long. Yeah, that is how dental health starts to deteriorate. After tooth decay, the next that follows is scarier and painful, like infection, gum diseases, or difficulty in speaking and eating.

Therefore, alongside good oral hygiene maintenance and regular dental check-ups, you have to maintain a healthy diet to live a happy and disease-free life!

The Foods You Need to Avoid If you think you cannot give up on your unhealthy habits, remember it is never too late. Your body is the only place you are going to live in forever; therefore, you need to take charge of it. Any part of your body can recover from disease and heal itself, except your teeth. So you know what you have to do.

Here are a few foods that should get off your list to improve your dental health:

*Sour and sticky candies: Remember when your mother would hide the candies and gums in the house, and you would only be allowed to eat them as a reward or occasionally. Well, it was not because your parents were denying you food; it was because they wanted to protect you from the damage they cause to your body and dental health. Sour and sticky candies can produce high amounts of acids in your mouth, they linger in your mouth for a longer time and stick to your teeth hence making your teeth an easy prey to tooth decay. If you want to satisfy your “sweet tooth,” just eat something less sticky or sour like chocolate and rinse off your mouth immediately after it.

*White bread: To be honest, any kind of bread is harmful as they contain sugar and stick to your teeth as a thick layer, especially in the interdental spaces. This leads to plaque build-up and a high bacterial count in your mouth, paving ways for dental cavities. Use brown or less refined bread if you cannot give up on it.

*Alcohol and carbonated drinks: Drinking too much wine or sodas can cause liver problems, heart issues, and compromise dental health as well. Too much alcohol can cause a dry mouth- a condition where the production of saliva reduces. If there is no saliva, what will wash away all the debris and sugar from your mouth instantly? This is why there is a higher risk of infection of the teeth, gums, oral mucosa, and even tongue. Similarly, too many carbonated drinks can erode the surface of your teeth, making them prone to dental problems, discoloration, and staining.

*Ice: Ice is not for chewing, it is for chilling your beverages. Chewing on ice can damage the tooth and cause it to chip, fracture, or even break- often requiring urgent dental care. To satisfy your icy craving, take slow gulps of chilled water.

*Caffeinated drinks: Drinking coffee and tea in moderate amounts with less or no sugar is not harmful. However, many people are addicted to sweet coffee and tea, emptying cups after cups. This can lead to many dental health problems like staining, discoloration of teeth, and tooth decay.

*Citrus foods: Consumption of too much citrusy foods like lime, oranges, grapefruits can lead to dental erosion (acid attack on the tooth). Even though citrus fruits are a great source of Vitamin C, they should be eaten in moderation. If you want to consume citrusy food, make sure that you rinse off your mouth after eating them.

*Potato or starch-rich chips: There is nothing better than munching on your favorite crunchy potato chips while binge-watching your favorite series. However, you need to watch yourself. The starch in the potato chips breaks down into sugars inside the mouth. These sugars become the food for bacteria and result in tooth decay.

Foods That Can Improve Your Dental Health It can be hard to leave your favorite food all at once. You can gradually shift to the healthy paradigm and replace the bad foods with some good foods that can improve your dental health. Such as: *Consume cheese, milk, and yogurt *Drink lots of water *Eat leafy green vegetables *Eat fruits like apples and pears- but in moderation

Preventive Measures to Protect Your Teeth and Gums: Do not feel devastated, you can eat everything in moderation. Treat yourself with your favorite meals and desserts but occasionally. Here are some preventive measures that can help you improve your oral hygiene and live a healthy life: *Reduce the frequency, eat in one sitting *Rinse your mouth with water after every meal *Brush twice daily *Use dental floss and mouthwash *Eat healthy foods *Visit the dentist’s office regularly

Healthy Teeth, Happy You Your mouth is the gateway to your healthy body. It is crucial to maintain good dental health to ensure a healthy life. Keep a check on your eating, drinking, and oral hygiene habits to keep the problems and diseases away.