When it comes to oral health, your diet has a major role to play. Some foods spell bad news for your teeth, while others can help to keep your teeth strong and healthy.

Foods to avoid

Unfortunately, many of the foods we love are bad for the teeth. Most treats, such as biscuits, cakes, sweets and chocolate bars, are loaded with sugar, which is very harmful for the teeth. Acidic foods and drinks, including salad dressing, fruit juices and wine, are also bad for the teeth. Sugary foods contribute to damage to tooth enamel because when you eat foods that contain sugar, the bacteria present in plaque produce harmful plaque acids, which attack and wear away the protective enamel. Acidic foods harm the enamel leading to erosion of the protective surface; once the tooth enamel is damaged or worn, the tooth is at increased risk of decay and damage caused by injury.

Strongly coloured drinks can also be bad for your teeth because they cause staining, which may not impact the health of the teeth, but may affect the aesthetic. Examples include tea, coffee and red wine.

Foods that are good for the teeth

There are some foods that are good for your teeth; most of the foods that are considered to be beneficial for oral health contain calcium, which is an important mineral that helps to keep bones, teeth and nails strong. Good sources of calcium include milk, yoghurts and cheese.

Raw vegetables can also be good for your oral health, as chewing them helps to stimulate the gums; celery sticks and carrot batons are good options for snacks.

Eating tips

The amount of sugar you consume is important, but perhaps the most important thing when it comes to protecting your teeth, is the frequency you eat sugary foods. When you eat sugary foods, your teeth come under fire from plaque acids and the enamel can only hold off a limited number of attacks per day; if you do fancy a sugary treat, stick to mealtimes. It is also advisable to wait around one hour before brushing your teeth after eating; this is to prevent damage to the enamel, which is temporarily softened after eating. Hygiene appointments are available at Harley Street Dental Studio in the city of London.