Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page
Search the Web

Food And Teeth

Affordable health care benefits.
food and teeth and low cost dental care


Food and Your Teeth

Okay everybody, now repeat after me: Eating sweets is bad for your teeth. You've known that for years, of course, but do you know why? Do you know that even eating so-called "good" foods can be bad for your teeth or that eating at certain times during the day is better than others? If you don't understand that when and what you eat can affect your teeth, then read on.

It's All About Plaque

The problems all revolve around plaque, that sticky, whitish substance that covers your teeth after you eat. As you probably already know, carbohydrates break down into sugars, the fructose, maltose, glucose and lactose that fuel our bodies. We think this process happens after food leaves our mouths, while en route to our digestive tracts.

That's true for many foods, but some foods begin breaking down right in our mouths. These foods are referred to as fermentable carbohydrates. Bacteria living on your teeth use the sugars found in fermentable carbohydrates like cookies, crackers, cake, soft drinks, cereal, even bananas to produce very strong acids.

Demineralization Sucks...The Enamel From Your Teeth, That Is

These acids can cause demineralization, a process by which the minerals inside a tooth's enamel begin to dissolve. Damaging acids are continually produced as long as these foods remain in contact with the tooth bacteria.

That's why sipping soda all afternoon is more damaging than drinking an entire can during your meal and why sticky foods (potato chips, raisins) and foods that get stuck in the crevices of molars can do more damage than foods that don't stick. Those who snack on sugary foods throughout the day also have a higher incidence of tooth decay.

Hooray for Re-Mineralization!

Fortunately, the body can combat demineralization with a process called remineralization. Saliva facilitates the remineralization process by helping to neutralize damaging acids. Therefore, foods and sugar-free gum that help increase saliva are good choices for combating tooth decay. However, when remineralization takes place more slowly than demineralization, in other words when the process is out of balance, tooth decay may still result.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders such as binge eating where an individual consumes large quantities of food only to purge them shortly afterwards also causes serious mineral loss because of all the stomach acids that come into the mouth during a purging session. That's why those suffering from eating disorders often experience tooth decay and demineralization.

When it comes to your teeth and your overall state of health, it's a good idea to stick with the food categories and amounts advised by the US government in its updated Food Pyramid. The 'good' foods to choose include whole grains rather than refined grains, non-citrus fruits (citrus contains a lot of acid), dark green leafy vegetables, lean proteins and calcium-rich foods and beverages.

Cheese is a good food to eat for counteracting acids. Chicken and nuts are good too. Milk contains lots of minerals that can enhance the remineralization process. Fruits with high water content are also good because they promote saliva. Sugar-free gum that contains xylitol is a good choice as are sugar-free hard candies.

Foods To Avoid

You should limit your intake of processed foods, sugary snacks, beverages containing or mixed with sugar and alcoholic beverages. Limit in-between meal snacking, too.

Sitemap

Looking for food and teeth?

Click for more information on food and teeth



Food And Teeth News Headlines:


HAPPY TAILS TIPS
... but there might be blood on his chew toys or food and water bowls. Taking care of your pet’s teeth and gums is important for many reasons. ...

When average fails to reach parents' expectations
Haddal's anecdote illustrates the kind of case that has had some physicians and ethicists gnashing their teeth over the Food and Drug Administration's 2003 ...

I'd like cricket with a side of worms
"Generally food is expensive," Bowers said. "Whereas you get a swarm of termites; it's good food and it's free, and you could collect enough to eat for your ...

Safety standards sought for greens
But he said recent outbreaks of food-borne illness have been a harsh reminder that public health is ``our No. 1 priority.'' Some critics, however, said the ...

Food And Teeth Selected Web Resources:

http://realworldbenefits.com - Affordable health care benefits..

Teething Biscuits from France's Kitchenette - Teething Biscuits from France's Kitchenette Many recipes for teething biscuits, rusks and crackers found on the web, in magazines, and in books. Also suggests egg substitutes.

Teething Biscuit - Teething Biscuit Recipe for teething biscuits using shortening and baby cereal, no flour.

Italian Teething Cookies - Italian Teething Cookies In Italian, these cookies are called "Ossi Dei Morti" or bones of the dead. They are hard cookies, but they are used for teething babies. Adults like to dip them in cappuccino.

Teething Recipes - Teething Recipes Offers four recipes to soothe teething infants. Recipes are scalable so you can easily halve or double them.

More Resources:

Medical and Beauty: Teething - Teething Teething and Medical and Beauty iVillage Baby Resource Join discussions & find answers at iVillage - the Women's Network. Baby Teething Remedies Safe, natural, homeopathic relief. No side effects, no worries. With the help of these remedies, your baby's first years will be remembered ...

Baby Food Store : Baby Supplies - Baby Food Store Baby Supplies Baby Food Warmer Baby Food Warmers Baby Foods Baby Foods Schedules Baby Formula Baby Gap Clothes Baby Guess Clothes Baby Ladybug Clothes Baby Oil Baby Pacifier Baby Pacifiers Baby Phat Clothes Baby Phat Clothes For Baby Powder Baby Punk Clothes ...

Health and Beauty: Teeth - Teeth Teeth and Health and Beauty Smilox.com Zoom Teeth Whitening System Available in 4 & 6% hydrogen peroxide formulas. Smilox sells Opalescence, DayWhite & Nite White Excel tooth whiteners. Purchase Sonicare Elite or BreathRx for bad breath. Teeth at Shopping.com! Find, compare and buy Personal ...





Cell Phones  
© food and teeth 2003-2008. Dental Care