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The proverb that says "You are what you eat" also applies to the health and beautiful appearance of your teeth. The food that we take into our body every day contains numerous ingredients that directly affect the condition of the oral cavity.

What are the most important elements that should be paid attention to?

Vitamin A is important for the formation of keratin and for the strength of the teeth, vitamin D for the storage of Ca and P, the formation of dentin, vitamin C for the synthesis of collagen and the strength of the gums. Fluoride has been designated by the World Health Organization as the most important element in the prevention of caries. It is found in almost all foods, but in small amounts, so the most important source of fluorine is water.

Which foods should be used more in the diet and which should be avoided?

Cheese rich in phosphates plays a role in remineralization, i.e. it can stop the carious process from occurring as well as heal small enamel cracks. It also contains casein, which has a protective effect when it comes to acids. It is believed that fats form a protective barrier by forming a layer that prevents the penetration of bacteria to the teeth. One very interesting piece of information is that chocolate has an anti-cariogenic effect.

Food with low cariogenic potential is: proteins, a moderate amount of fat and a minimal amount of dissolved carbohydrates.

Ordinary sugar (sucrose), which is often used in food, is undoubtedly the main cause of caries because it sticks to the surface of the teeth and quickly turns into acid, which enables the development of caries. It is often used as an additive to beverages (coffee, tea, milk) and is already found in non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages and sugar concentrates (jam, sweets, chocolate, candies...).
Foods rich in fiber (fruits, vegetables, and grains) adhere less to the surface of the teeth, and in addition, they do not contain sucrose, as do other types of sugar (starch, fructose, etc.). Starch from grains and vegetables is not cariogenic, and these foods also contain dietary fiber (cellulose, which also mechanically cleans teeth). Fructose, fruit sugar, is less cariogenic than sucrose and is recommended in the diet.

In addition to the composition of food for the prevention of caries and other dental diseases, the frequency of food intake is also very important.

It is preferable to take drinks containing sugar and the sweets themselves immediately after a meal, and then brush your teeth. If they are taken between meals and several times a day, the environment in the oral cavity will be constantly acidic, which favors the development of caries.

Recommendations for proper nutrition:

• Limit the daily diet to three main and two additional meals.
• Sweets should only be given after the main meal and toons that dissolve quickly and are eliminated from the oral cavity (chocolate is always a better choice than soft and sticky candies)
• Avoid snacks in your daily diet.

A proper diet that is balanced and contains nutritious, recommended substances is an important step in preventing oral diseases and maintaining overall health. Therefore, we advise you to visit the Floss&Gloss dental practice, where you can get detailed instructions on how to preserve a beautiful and healthy smile.