Wednesday, August 18, 2010

GOOD FOODS FOR TEETH

foods for teeth
Most of us know foods that keep our body healthy. But how many of us have ever bothered to know foods that keep our teeth healthy? Yes,this is a very important aspect that's often ignored by many among us.

“some tortures are mental And Some are physical. But the one that is both Is dental”


Lets take a step ahead and help our teeth stay healthy and so we are healthy.

Here are some foods that keep our teeth healthy:

  • Calcium rich foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt etc.They are low carbohydrate and have high calcium and phosphate content that provide important benefits for your healthy teeth like balancing your mouth's pH, rebuilding tooth's enamel and producing saliva that kills the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Cheese contains calcium too.

  • Fruits like apples, strawberries and citrus fruits especially kiwis contain vitamin C.It is considered the ‘cement’ that holds all cells together,so as its vital for your skin, it’s very essential for the health of the gum tissue. Researches show that the collagen network in your gums can break down, making your gums tender and more susceptible to the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. Vitamin A rich foods like pumpkin, carrot and sweet potatoes.

This vitamin is absolutely necessary for the formation of tooth enamel. Apart from that, crunchy vegetables cleanse and stimulate your gums, making them healthy. Onoins contain powerful antibacterial sulfur compounds. onions kill various types of bacteria. Researches indicate that they are most powerful when eaten freshly peeled and raw. It may be not so tasty but good teeth are guaranteed.

  • Eat fiber-rich raw foods, which massage the gums and cleans the teeth. Raw foods also increase salivation, which neutralizes acids and alkalis within the mouth.

  • Nuts are rich in calcium, magnesium and phosphate, which are important nutrients for dental health. Nuts good for teeth are cashews, peanuts, almonds and walnuts.

  • Good teeth can be a result of combining white bread, especially for small kids, and sesame seeds. It removes the plaque and helps build the tooth enamel.Sesame seeds are rich in calcium,helps preserve the bone around the gums and teeth. But firstly, it is very delicious.chicken, turkey, eggs – all of them contain phosphorous.
Calcium, with the help of vitamin D and phosphorous, creates our bones system. These elements keep teeth stronger and healthier by protecting them from teeth decay.

  • Drink plenty of water daily so that it helps in keeping your gums hydrated and also washes away the trapped food that decompose and cause bad breath. .Healthy water is not only purer, but it also cleans the mouth, allowing the saliva to work wonders depositing essential minerals back into the weakened teeth.

Now that we have know how to keep our teeth healthy, here are some more tips to protect our teeth from damage:

*Don't eat all the times. Leave at least 2-3 hours between meals or snacks. This allows the acid level in the mouth to fall and also gives saliva a chance to counteract the effect of acid and repair tooth enamel. Brush your teeth after you eat foods that are not good for teeth. Or eat such foods at times when you can brush your teeth soon afterwards especially sweets and other sticky carbohydrates.
Foods that need to be chewed are important for healthy teeth and gums.

*Drinking frequent cups of tea or coffee with sugar added will increase the risk of teeth decay. But tea and coffee lovers need not panic, you definitely have an alternative, Green tea that contains polyphenols, antioxidant plant compounds that prevent plaque from adhering to your teeth and help reduce your chances of developing cavities and gum disease.
It has potential for reducing bad breath because it inhibits the growth of the bacteria that cause the odor. Certain green teas also contain fluoride which helps in protecting the tooth enamel from decay and promotes healthy teeth.

*Meat eaters require to take better care of their teeth. If the stuck meat fibres are left overnight without   cleaning, the fibres may petrify and release an acid which acts on the tooth causing it to decay.

*Sipping a soft drink or a sports drink every few minutes is hazardous, it is best to finish the whole drink in one go, then rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain water to remove the acid. Don't brush your teeth after a soft drink, as it can damage the tooth enamel due to etching.


EAT HEALTHY AND SMILE HEALTHY!!!!!!

TOOTH COLOR


Though we live in a society where in pearl white shiny teeth are regarded, most of us don't have such teeth which is why tooth whitening or bleaching has come into limelight in this modern age.

Essentially, teeth whitening can be seen as another way to stop the aging process. In the same way that you use moisturizing creams to stop wrinkles and hair dye to keep away the gray, various teeth whitening products such as toothpastes, polishes and adhesive strips are being used to make teeth whiter and more youthful.

There are plenty of teeth whitening options available, so choose one that is right for you and do the best you can to bleach away stains and natural color changes.Your dentist will be right person to help you choose the right way of getting your teeth bleached.

Medically speaking, teeth whitening is a safe procedure so long as you have it professionally done or pay close attention to packet instructions.

But of course our teeth do stain due to some external factors that includes:

Foods or drinks: Coffee, Tea, Cola, Wine and some fruits and vegetables and smoking and chewing tobacco can stain teeth.


Poor dental hygiene: Improper brushing and flossing to remove the plaque and stain producing substances like coffee and tobacco can also cause tooth discoloration.


Disease: Several diseases that affect enamel (the hard surface of the teeth) and dentin (the underlying material under enamel) can lead to tooth discoloration. Treatments for certain conditions can also affect tooth color. For example, head and neck radiation and chemotherapy can cause teeth discoloration. In addition, certain infections in pregnant mothers can cause tooth discoloration in the infant by affecting enamel development.

Medications: There are some antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline that discolor teeth when given to children whose teeth are still developing (before the age of 8). Mouth rinses and washes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain teeth. Antihistamines like Benadryl, anti psychotic drugs, and drugs for high blood pressure also cause teeth discoloration.


Dental materials: Some of the materials used in dentistry, such as amalgam restorations, especially silver sulfide-containing materials, can cause a gray-black color to teeth.

Advancing age: As you age, the outer layer of enamel on your teeth gets worn away revealing the natural yellow color of dentin.


Environment: Excessive fluoride either from environmental sources (naturally high fluoride levels in water) or from excessive use (fluoride application, rinses, toothpaste and fluoride supplements taken orally) can cause tooth discoloration.


Genetics: Some people have naturally brighter or thicker enamel than others.

Trauma: For example, damage from a fall can disturb enamel formation in young children whose teeth are still developing. Trauma can also cause discoloration to adult teeth.

Treatment options for teeth whitening varies depending on the cause of discoloration and may also include:

  • Using proper brushing and flossing techniques.

  • Avoid foods and beverages that cause discoloration of teeth

  • Veneers and bondings

  • Using over the counter whitening agents

  • In-home teeth whitening agents purchased from your dentist, In-office whitening procedures.