There is a close correlation between the health of the teeth and the foods they have to chew. In this regard, ingested foods can be divided into:
- cariogens: they are harmful to the tooth and significantly increase the risk of caries;
- cariostatics: neutral action, they have no direct effect on tooth decay;
- anticariogens: contrast the formation of caries.
Among the anticariogenic foods are generally all those foods that:
- they require a more robust chewing, during which they mechanically clean and massage teeth and gums;
- contain precious minerals for enamel health, such as calcium and fluorine;
- they promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the oral cavity;
- they are not sticky (they do not stick to the teeth and the gum line);
- they are not acids;
- they have zero or extremely low sugar content.
Examples of foods that are good for teeth and fight tooth decay:
- Fresh fruit not too acidic and not sugary (pears and apples with peel);
- Dried shell fruit (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts ...);
- Fibrous and raw vegetables (eg carrots, lettuce, fennel, peppers ...);
- Seasoned cheeses, milk and dairy products;
- Water and beverages without sugar and alkaline (they counteract the acidity of the oral cavity, remove food residues and, depending on the composition, can provide precious minerals such as calcium and fluorine);
- Foods of high consistency.
A special mention must be made for foods
- rich in fluoride (like tea or apples);
- rich in calcium (such as milk, dairy products and cheeses, but also seeds and other foods of vegetable origin) and phosphorus;
- rich in vitamin C (essential for collagen synthesis and gum wellness);
- rich in vitamin A (essential for enamel);
- with antibacterial properties (such as onion or garlic, raw chewed blueberries).
As for sugar-free chewing gum, these can be considered anticariogenic "foods". Xylitol, now ubiquitous in these products, despite having some refreshing and sweetening power, is not attacked by plaque bacteria and exerts a mild antibacterial activity. Furthermore, chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which promotes cleansing and removal of food residues from the tooth surfaces, as well as carrying out a “disinfectant” action against bacteria. Obviously, chewing gum cannot and should not replace proper oral hygiene with a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss.
Anti-carcinogenic foods should preferably be consumed at the end of a meal and as a snack. Furthermore, when combined with cariogenic foods (because they are sticky, very acidic, rich in sugars, etc.) they reduce the harmful effects.
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