Khaberni - Dentist Maria Balakireva, an orthodontic specialist, confirmed that fresh fruits and vegetables are the best foods for dental health. The most harmful are sweetened carbonated drinks and sold fruit juices.
She said, "Chewing relatively hard fruits and vegetables helps massage the gums, improve blood circulation, and contribute to cleaning the surface of the tooth enamel."
However, she warned that many fruits contain organic acids that may weaken the tooth enamel and make it more susceptible to damage, hence it is advised not to eat more than one to two fruits daily.
She added that it is important to rinse with water after eating to remove food residues from the tooth surface, and she emphasized the necessity of brushing teeth twice daily, in the morning and evening, to maintain gum health and protect enamel from erosion.
She mentioned that the most dangerous foods and drinks for teeth include sweetened carbonated beverages, ready-to-drink fruit juices, and toffee, due to their association with tooth decay.
She explained that these products contain large amounts of sugar and dyes, which can form a layer on the tooth enamel that may cause discoloration. Also, sticky sweets like toffee and sweet gum are more harmful, as they stick between the teeth and provide a suitable environment for bacteria growth.
She said, "Potato chips are also harmful, as they turn into a sticky mass inside the mouth that sticks to the teeth for a long period, and they contain starch, which is a suitable food for bacteria."
She concluded by noting that chewing sunflower seeds and other hard seeds may harm the teeth, as it could cause fine cracks in the tooth enamel, increasing the likelihood of damage over time.
