The Best You helps you decide what food is the best for your smile!
Top Five Tooth Friendly Foods!
Cheese! As you’re tucking into a chunk of cheddar you’ll be pleased to know that not only is it rich in calcium, which
promotes healthy teeth, it also balances out the PH in your mouth which lessens the damaging effects of acid from a festive glass of wine on tooth enamel and helps kill bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Top Five Teeth Rotters:
Sweets, biscuits and cakes – Although the endless supply of chocolate and puddings it so tempting, try to keep
When snacking, instead of opting for crisps, why not opt for nuts instead? Peanuts (unsalted if possible) contain
calcium and vitamin D, both vital for oral health as well as your general health.
Broccoli and carrots are great for your oral health as they contain vitamin A which help strengthens the tooth enamel.
Crudités promote good oral health as, because they are eaten raw, they massage your gums, which encourage blood fl ow, and clean your teeth too!
Turkey provides us with a great source of protein, which is rich in phosphorus.
This combines with calcium and vitamin D to make our teeth (and bones). By eating plenty of protein you will help reduce tooth decay and keep your teeth strong and healthy.
them to a minimum as sugars are a prime cause of the acidic biofi lm which causes dental decay. Acid resulting from frequent consumption of refi ned sugar dissolves the minerals essential for healthy teeth. When you do indulge, its best to have sweets in one go, rather than picking throughout the day.
Wine – We all love a glass of wine or two at Christmas, but white wine can be very acidic and contribute to enamel
erosion, try drinking it just at your main meal, as drinking little and often is far worse than drinking once a day. Red wine can also increase the risk of staining, especially if you forget to brush your teeth as often as you should with the distractions of festive fun! If you are drinking red wine, try to remember to leave a gap before you brush your teeth to remove any stains.
Fizzy drinks – If you like a bit of fi zz in your soft drinks or mixers why not opt for soda water. Fizzy drinks are loaded
with sugar and even sugar-free or diet drinks are still acidic and in excess can cause tooth enamel to erode away. But, if you can’t resist them, use a straw to lessen direct contact with your teeth.
Processed cereals – Breakfast may not be the most important meal when it comes to the festive season, but if
you’re looking to grab something quick and easy to set you up for the day try to avoid processed cereals as you’ll be amazed at how much sugar is hidden in these, much better to opt for porridge or bran based cereals – or, better still eggs!
Crisps - Cooked starch breaks down into component sugars – the main enemy for teeth. Why not opt for
carbs low on the glycaemic index such as vegetable crisps instead?