The BEST and WORST foods for healthy teeth

Like many people you probably don't spend much time worrying about what effects the food you intake has on your teeth. Well according to an article published on green.yahoo.com there are foods that can help your oral hygiene and those that can hurt it. For better dental check-ups try incorporating the good foods and minimizing the bad.

Let's start with the good..

1. Fruits and Vegetables: Not a big surprise here I'm sure but what you might not know is that fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber stimulate saliva flow which aids in a healthy mouth

2. Dairy Products: Heavy in calcium which increases bone strength  as well as teeth.

3. Any foods with fluoride: Fluoride water helps your teeth.

4. Sugarless gum: Like vegetables is a saliva producer and removes food particles from your mouth.

5. Licorice: Surprised? We were. According to the article, licorice inhibits growth of plaque.

Now on to the bad..

1. Sugary candies: Candy like carmel's, lollipops, and starbursts (chewy candy) have sugars that stick in your teeth and cause cavities.

2.  Starchy foods: Bacteria loves to feed on starch so when eating bread or potato chips be aware of any particles left in your teeth.

3. Soda, Sport Drinks, any carbonated beverage: The high sugar contents in these drinks promotes tooth decay.

4. Lemons: The acid from this fruit weakens tooth enamel.

5. Dry mouth items like alcohol: Its important to minimize dry mouth so be sure to drink plenty of water to offset the effects of dry mouth.

To get more detailed information visit this link: http://green.yahoo.com/blog/care2/218/the-best-and-worst-foods-for-your-teeth.html

Surprised by any of these foods? Tell us what you think by posting comments!