Whether you call them dental caries,
tooth decay or cavities, they all refer to one thing –damage of tooth enamel.
And if you’re not proactive, you may end up losing a tooth or suffering from
nasty gum disease.
How do cavities actually
start?
Cavities are a result of simple
sugars sticking to the teeth for a duration of time and promoting the growth of
damaging mouth bacteria that corrode tooth enamel. Unfortunately, cavities are
not restricted to kids alone. Aging disposes adults to this problem due to
receding gums. This puts older people at risk for plaque and consequentially
they become prone to tooth decay. However, the good news is tooth decay can be
prevented by following some simple rules:
- Brush two times a day
- Floss regularly
- Get oral examinations and professional cleaning every six months.
- Eat healthy foods and limit your sugar intake
Apart from this, here are some foods
that should help you keep the dentist’s drill away:
Cheese: experts
believe that eating cheese improves oral health by preventing loss of minerals.
In addition, the protein found in cheese assists in countering the acids that
lead to tooth degeneration. As less as five grams of cheese is enough in
countering tooth problems.
Apples: apples act
as natural cleansers for the mouth. They have the ability to generate saliva
that cleans the teeth while the flavonoids restrict bacterial growth inside the
mouth.
Cocoa: cocoa
contains polyphenol, a unique nutrient that plays an important role in cavity
prevention because of its capability to fight bacteria. Polyphenol
reduces the formulation of acid, which in turn helps the teeth remain healthy.
Peanuts: peanuts
help decrease plaque build-up. They are the least cavity causing food items
that a person can eat.
Cranberries:
cranberries are rich in organic acids and flavonoids, known for their
decay-preventing qualities. The flavonoids in blueberries and cranberries
constrain bacteria from sticking to teeth surfaces, in turn helping them remain
clean.
Yogurt: yogurt
combined with fresh fiber-rich fruit acts like a natural toothbrush. It contains
phosphorus and calcium, two minerals required to re-mineralize the teeth. A
recent study has shown that adults who drink yogurt have less acidic pH levels
which helps to keep cavities at bay.
Black tea:
flavanols are abundant in black tea and have been shown to reduce the breeding
of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Apart from this, tea leaves also contain
fluoride, a mineral that sustains oral health by strengthening the mineral
composition in the teeth.
Gum and tooth problems are less
common today, in comparison to the yesteryears. But they still affect almost
one out of ten Americans by the time they reach sixty. If you do not take care
of your mouth by brushing, flossing and eating right, you are at a very high
risk of developing gum disease. One of the best ways to find out how to take
care of your mouth is to ask a
qualified dentist. There are several good dental clinics in California that
will help you handle your teeth by giving your personalized advice and
treatment.
No comments:
Post a Comment