If its true that you are what you eat, then its true for your teeth and gums also.

When you drink sugary beverages and eat starchy foods you are not only feeding yourself but also the bacteria that harbours in the plaque around the tooth.

While some foods invite tooth decay there are some which also help to combat thereby keeping the gums and teeth healthy.

The Good Guys- FIGHTER’S:

• Fiber rich fruits and vegetables: Fiber in the food stimulates saliva flow which acts as a natural defense against cavities due to its ability to neutralize the acids produced. It also contains certain enzymes, proteins and inorganic substances that are essential for metabolic control.
• Chewing sugar free gums after meals and snacks can help to rinse off the harmful acids produced.
• Green or black tea is a rich source of antioxidants and can suppress bacterial growth.
• Drinking Flouridated water can prevent dental caries as the fluoride from water interacts with the tooth calcium making it resistant to acid attack and demineralization.
• Dairy Products such as plain yoghurt, hard cheese, milk etc. are high sources of calcium and phosphates which are essential for mineralization of your teeth. Infact studies indicate that chewing hard cheese after meals creates a cariostatic environment.

The Bad Guys – ATTACKER’S:

• Sugary candies or sticky foods tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food as they don’t get rinsed easily by the saliva.
• Starchy or refined carbohydrates contain high amount of fermentable carbohydrate that can harbor bacterial growth and the acid so formed dissolves the tooth minerals leading to cavitation.
• Aerated drinks, beverages, Sports drinks contain high amount of sugar and acids that can lead to erosion of tooth enamel.
• Citrus fruits and undiluted fruit juices can also lead to erosion of teeth due to high acid content.
• Chewing on Ice or hard substances can leave your teeth vulnerable to tooth fracture and damage enamel.
• Frequent consumption of caffeinated coffee or tea may stain your teeth apart from releasing the harmful sugar content in the mouth.
• Alcohol causes dehydration of your mouth as saliva flow is reduced over the time. Dry mouth can lead to tooth decay and other oral infections such as gum diseases. Heavy alcohol consumption also increases the risk of oral cancer.
• Last but not the least Tobacco in any form is not good for the teeth as well as the gums and other oral soft tissues. The nicotine from it impairs healing ,leads to gum diseases and eventually tooth loss.