Diet and Tooth Decay: What Food to Avoid?

A look at how, when, and what foods can contribute to tooth decay.

Most of us are likely aware that there are links between what we eat and tooth decay. To keep your teeth healthy,

you should avoid certain foods and eat more of some of the more healthy options. However, the relationship goes much deeper than that. Did you know eating a cookie on its own can cause more damage than eating it with a meal? Did you know that nibbling certain foods and slowly sipping certain drinks can lead to a much greater degree of tooth decay that simply gulping it down? Did you know that some foods that are generally good for the overall health can be very bad for your teeth? In this article we will examine more closely the relationship between diet and decay. We will also offer some advice on what you should be eating to keep damage to a minimum and the trips to the dentist few.

We were likely taught in school that foods highly rich in sugars are very bad for the teeth. They help promote the growth of bacteria, which leads to plaque, cavities and even more serious conditions. Highly sugary foods we usually associate with sweets, cakes, cookies and chocolate. This are some of the worst offenders but there are also some other lesser known ones. Bananas, some breakfast cereals, breads and crackers can do nearly as much damage as a slice of chocolate cake. The reason is the point at which these foods start to break down.

Any food in the carbohydrate family breaks down into what are known as simple sugars. These are glucose, fructose, maltose and lactose. Some carbohydrates breakdown into these sugars much later on in the eating process. Usually when the food hits the digestive tract. However some, known as the fermentable carbohydrates start to break down into sugars immediately. Usually in the mouth. Breads, many cereals, crackers and bananas all fall into this category. By eating these you could be doing as much damage as eating chocolate chip cookies. These foods do have noted health benefits and no one is suggesting abandoning them totally.

However, eating them and brushing immediately after is highly recommended.

To fully understand the relationship between diet and decay, it is important to know the balancing act that takes place. Many bacteria create acids from several of the above mentioned foods and drinks. These acids can attack the enamel robbing it of its minerals. This process is known as demineralization. This isn’t damaging to the teeth if the minerals are replaced. Our own saliva as well as other healthy foods help with the process known as remineralization. As long as minerals are replaced quicker then they are lost, the tooth enamel will remain intact. If the minerals are not replaces quickly enough then tooth decay will start to occur.

Some may think that they are doing the right think by eating sweets or drinking drinks in small quantities. Actually the opposite is true. Many of these acids start producing from the moment you take a bite or sip a drink. To make matters worse, they tend to stay around for about 30 minutes after you take in the food or drink. The truth of the matter is, by taking small nibbles of cake or sipping sweet drinks you’re actually producing a steady supply of acid. This means that demineralization is continually occurring and your teeth are under constant attack. If you must have your sweets you are better of eating it then brushing your teeth straight after.

Finally, there is some good news. There are several foods that taste great and actually help with oral health. Try switching your breads and cereals over to those with high fiber. Brown breads, brown rice and whole grain breakfast cereals do not breakdown likes those of the white variety. In addition to being very good for your health the spare your teeth a lot of damage.

Try to eat fruits that are rich in vitamin C. Lemons, limes, papayas, mangoes and kiwi fruits are some of the most highly recommended. These have natural cleaning agents for the teeth. They also reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. Sailors used to eat lemons and limes on long voyages to stop their gums from bleeding. It was highly successful and is recommended by dentists today.

Understanding the relationship between diet and decay can be quite tricky. Some foods that have great health benefits can be quite damaging to the teeth. How we take in foods can also make a great difference. By knowing what to eat and cutting back on those things that are bad for you, your teeth will be healthy, clean and you’ll avoid those unwanted trips to the dentist.