Header photo courtesy of Pixabay
By Julie Garden-Robinson, PhD, LRD
“You have pink teeth!” someone said with a giggle.
We grinned at each other to show off our rosy-colored teeth.
We were elementary school students using “disclosing tablets.” Most of us had teeth the color of bubble gum, unfortunately.
Having pink teeth was not good. It meant we were neglecting our dental hygiene – the red chemical in the tablets attached itself to the plaque on our teeth.
Plaque is a sticky coating made of bacteria that forms on our teeth. Technically, it’s a “biofilm,” and it's the main reason we need to brush and floss our teeth daily and have professional dental cleanings.
If you run your tongue over your teeth, they might not feel smooth if you have plaque.
Without regular brushing, flossing and routine professional cleaning, that means cavities, gum disease, infections or tooth loss can occur in adults with time. When you visit your dentist twice a year, this health professional will examine your gums, tongue and the rest of your mouth for signs of cancer.
Dental pain or tooth loss can affect your ability to chew and enjoy food.
Poor oral health can also affect our overall health, and it may increase our risk for heart disease and heart attacks.
Besides oral hygiene, the food we eat can affect our dental health. Bacteria on our teeth love us when we eat sticky, sweet foods, but our teeth will suffer from the exposure.
Food labels now list “added sugars” and “total sugars.” Limit the amount of foods with added sugars to protect your teeth. Consider rinsing your mouth with water if a toothbrush is not nearby.
Staying well-nourished is essential for our overall health, including the health of our mouths. Strong, healthy teeth allow us to eat a variety of foods without pain. Chewing is the first stage of digestion.
Nourish your teeth with a calcium-rich diet. Dairy foods such as milk, yogurt and cheese are among the best sources of calcium. Nutrition experts advise about three servings of calcium-rich dairy, or an alternative, every day.
Beware of sweetened carbonated beverages because of their added sugars and the additional ingredients they contain, including phosphoric and citric acid. These two acids in many beverages can pull calcium from our teeth.
Instead of soda, have plain water. Avoid chewing ice cubes, because they can damage our teeth.
If you're craving something sweet, consider treats made with Xylitol — a sugar alcohol that may reduce cavity risk. But a word of caution: Xylitol is toxic to dogs, so keep it away from pets.
Eating plenty of vitamin- and fiber-rich crunchy vegetables also can help us maintain our oral health. The fiber in celery, for example, acts as a natural toothbrush.
Vitamins A, C and D are especially nourishing for our teeth and our body. Enjoy some seasonal produce such as strawberries, tomatoes and bell peppers to boost our vitamin C. Milk is fortified with vitamin D, which helps us build and maintain strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D is naturally found in salmon and other fatty fish.
Be sure to get your fluoride through water from most municipal supplies or fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride is important for keeping our teeth strong.
As I was thinking back to my childhood experience with disclosing tablets, I discovered they are available online. Try it out if you want to check if your teeth turn pink with these tablets.
However, your best option is good nutrition paired with regular brushing, flossing and dental visits.
Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., is a North Dakota State University Extension food and nutrition specialist and professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences.