Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100
In order
to have healthy white teeth, you need to brush and floss. However, eating right
is an important key to maintaining a white smile. Dentist and spokesman for the
American Dental Association, Matthew Messina, tells ABC News what foods, in
moderation, are healthy for your teeth:
Citrus
fruit: High acidic levels may cause the enamel of your teeth to erode when not
properly taking care of them. ABC says a 2008 study shows lemon and grapefruit
juice are the most acidic and will cause the most damage to teeth. Messina says
orange juice is the best citric fruit for teeth especially when it comes with
vitamin D and calcium to help keep teeth strong.
Candy:
Chewy candies stick to teeth, which block the enamel and eventually form
cavities. Sour candies are sugary, acidic and chewy. This is especially bad for
your teeth. Hard candies saturate your mouth for a while this then lets
bacteria formulate for acid.
Drinks:
Soda and sports drinks are of course sugary, but what is surprising is the
amount of citric and phosphoric acid in soda erodes enamel. Messina advises to
drink soda with a meal so the food can help neutralize acid. Wine is definitely
likely to stain your teeth, especially red. Red and white wines both contribute
acid erosive to teeth. Coffee and black tea stain teeth, but even herbal, white
and green tea erodes enamel.
Now
Messina gives advice on what food and drinks help to strengthen teeth:
Sugarless
gum: Gum causes the accumulation of saliva, which washes away acid in the
mouth. Gum also provides calcium and phosphate to help build bone.
Water:
Water acts as saliva by washing away any unnecessary acid.
Dairy:
Dairy of course emits calcium to strengthen enamel. Cheeses contain a protein,
which is known as casein. Casein plays the same role as calcium.
High-fiber
food: These foods cause a lot of chewing. The chewing generates saliva and the
chewed food helps to scrub an acid or bacteria off your teeth.
For
further information on Messina’s healthy eating for oral health, please CLICK HERE
Make
sure your child’s teeth are healthy by providing the right food and drinks, as
well as regularly taking your child for teeth cleanings. Schedule an
appointment with Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City today and visit our website
at http://pediatricdentistryofgardencity.com/
