Diets that contain sugary foods and drinks and starches, combined with poor dental hygiene practices among young people can contribute to tooth decay. Sugars combine with bacteria to produce acid that wears away at tooth enamel, weakening them further before holes need filling by dentists. Foods containing lots of starch may become lodged between teeth encouraging further bacteria growth while medical conditions and medications (like tuberculosis chemotherapy dialysis and antihistamines ) can reduce saliva production making it harder to effectively clean teeth of debris that cause plaque and tooth decay.
Diets rich in calcium help strengthen and nourish teeth to combat tooth decay by replenishing lost minerals through chewing, protecting them against cavities. A diet rich in calcium strengthens your gums as well as restores minerals lost through chewing – an effective strategy against cavities!
Milk, yogurt and cheese are excellent sources of calcium. In addition to being high in calcium content, these foods also provide essential nutrition such as phosphorus, protein and B vitamins, making them excellent sources for teeth.
Other foods that can help protect the teeth include leafy vegetables such as bok choy and broccoli; fruits like berries, pineapple and mango; canned fish with bones; boiled chicken and tofu are also beneficial; whole grain bread, brown rice or pasta should always be chosen over refined white bread or flour which contain refined starches that stick to teeth and can lead to cavities.