Why does healthy eating matter?
Your general health and your resistance to many diseases depend a lot on eating a
healthy, balanced diet.
Your eating and drinking habits also affect the health of your teeth.
Dental plaque is a soft, sticky substance that builds up on your teeth.
It is mostly made up of bacteria, which feed on sugar from food and
drink, producing acids as a waste product. The acids attack the teeth
by dissolving the minerals in the tooth surface. If this happens too
often, tooth decay results.
Acids in food and drink can dissolve away tooth surface. All fizzy
drinks (including 'diet' brands and fizzy mineral water), all squashes
and all fruit juices are acidic to varying degrees. Pickles and citrus
fruits are examples of acidic types of food.
After an acid attack, teeth can repair themselves, given the
opportunity. It helps if fluoride (a mineral that is an ingredient in
most toothpaste, and is in the water supply in some areas) is present
in the mouth.
Most dental problems can be avoided if you :
- remove plaque by brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste; and
- don't have sugary and / or acidic food and drink too often during the day. Try to have these mostly at mealtimes, not in between.
Between meals you should only have 'safe' drinks, which are not sugary or acidic. Milk and water are 'safe' drinks. So are tea and coffee if you do not add sugar to them (you can use non-sugar sweeteners).
You should try and avoid smacking between meals. If you do snack, only have 'safe' snacks, which are not sugary or acidic. Fruits, vegetables, sandwiches, toast, crumpets and pitta bread are all 'safe' snacks.
For the sake of your general health, you should be eating at least five portions of vegetables and fruit every day. Dairy products, such as cheese, are 'safe' snacks for teeth; but, for the sake of your general health, choose lower fat varieties and don't have too much.
Remember the rules:
- Always brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Only have 'safe' drinks and 'safe' snacks between meals.
- Eat at least five portions of vegetables and fruit every day.
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