4 Foods That Slow Remineralization in Your Teeth

We all grew up with our parents telling us that we needed to drink lots of milk and stay away from too much sugar if we wanted healthy teeth. Demineralization in the teeth happens when minerals such as calcium are removed from the hard tooth tissue. This can result from a poor diet and lead to tooth decay. Certain foods can slow remineralization in the teeth. Here are four to watch out for.

Sugar is highly acidic. This can interfere with your body’s natural ability to breakdown foods through the use of bacteria in the mouth. The sugars interact with the bacteria by breaking down the tooth enamel, which in turn can weaken teeth and lead to decay. It has actually been found that eating small amounts of sugar on a regular basis is more harmful to your teeth then the occasional sugar-rich binge. 

While dairy products can be beneficial because it is a natural source of calcium, the lactose in dairy products is a type of sugar that can be harmful to the teeth. On top of that, those with lactose sensitivities can have trouble absorbing the minerals and vitamins they need for their teeth when they consume a lot of dairy. Reducing the amount of dairy in your diet or switching to lactose-free milk can help lessen the demineralization of your teeth. You can also consider reaching for almond or soy milk as another alternative.

Simple carbohydrates increase the fermentable sugars in the mouth which can lead to teeth erosion. These are found in starchy foods such as bread, potatoes, and rice. It has also been found that eating starchy foods in combination with sugar increases the risk of tooth decay. Balancing starchy foods while omitting the added sugar can go a long way to healthier teeth. 

Acidic foods can be extremely harmful to tooth health. There are a lot of acidic foods on the market these days. Many can be quite obvious while others may be somewhat of a surprise. Fruit juices and citric fruits such as oranges, cranberries, lemons, and apples are high in acid and can cause tooth erosion. Surprisingly there are some other foods that have a low PH level, and these include coffee, wine, tomato products, and pickles.

Eating the right foods can go a long way in maintaining strong and healthy teeth. While it is important to visit an emergency dentist if the need arises, it is just as important to maintain a health-conscious diet to help prevent tooth decay.