The New Year is only a few hours away, so once again, we are surrounded by a wide variety of food and drink, whether outside or in our homes. On this day of the year, we tend to consume more food and drink than we would normally take, which can affect your oral health. What we need to pay attention to in our New Year’s menu is not only our weight, but also our dental health. However, most of the foods and drinks we enjoy specially prepared for tonight are bad for the teeth. However, some of them can be beneficial for our teeth. In this article, we will discuss the good and bad sides of food and drink.
What Foods and Drinks Should We Cut Down on?
Chocolates and Desserts
Chocolate and sweets both contain very high amounts of sugar, and as we know, sugar is your teeth’s worst enemy. Sugar produces bacteria that begin to attack your teeth. This is what causes tooth decay. Everyone may have chocolates and sweets on their coffee table in the new year, but if you can resist them, your teeth will thank you. If not, try to choose dark chocolates as they contain much less sugar.
Confectionery
Confectionery is a dentist’s worst nightmare. It is sugary, sticky and hard. Because of this texture, many patients have cracked, chipped, and cracked their teeth while biting into the candy. It can even destroy existing dental work such as fillings, veneers and crowns. The stickiness of the candy means it stays in your mouth for a long time after you finish eating it as it gets stuck between your teeth.
Hot wine
The main ingredient in mulled wine is red wine, which is famous for coloring teeth. In addition, it contains a lot of sugar. Oranges are also often added to hot wine, and as citrus, acidity can accelerate the effects of sugar. In general, mulled wine can cause surface staining, tooth decay, and tooth erosion.
Dried fruit
Dried fruit is used in many different dishes, such as mince pies, cakes, and puddings, and may seem like a healthy option. But it’s surprisingly high in sugar and sticks to your teeth because it’s sticky. This means your teeth will stay in contact with sugars longer than usual. It’s a good idea to chew sugar-free gum and drink water after eating dried fruit.
Which Foods and Drinks Are Good for Your Teeth?
Cheese
Your menu wouldn’t be complete without a cheese plate. The great news is that cheese is great for your teeth! The high amount of calcium contained in cheese will help keep your teeth strong and healthy. Eating a piece of cheese after a meal is a great idea because it neutralizes the acid level in your mouth.
Milk
In addition to cheese, milk is also great for your teeth due to its calcium content. Just like water, it has a neutral acid level. This means that it is completely harmless to your dental health. Enjoying a glass of milk after a meal or snack can really help your dental health.
Almond
Nuts, especially almonds, are a good option for your teeth. It’s a great snack choice because it’s high in protein and calcium, and low in fat and sugar. Make sure you choose the natural one, not the sweetened or roasted one.
Apple
Apples are a great way to end a meal. Its tissues clean the tooth surfaces and stimulate the gums. A great way to keep your teeth clean between brushing.
