Dental health and nutrition
"Sugar is bad for your teeth" - you learn this from kindergarten onwards. The regular consumption of sugar not only promotes the development of tooth decay, but also favours the development and progression of inflammation in the body, such as gum recession and periodontitis in the mouth. Sugar promotes the development and progression of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, as well as cardiovascular diseases, and leads to faster ageing and even blemished skin and acne.
Incidentally, almost all sugar substitutes (with the exception of xylitol) and fructose have a similar effect. Often the
hidden sweeteners are mainly found in drinks, including light drinks and ready meals.
Speaking of fruit: these and acidic drinks can favour tooth wear and enamel erosion, which is why you should not brush your teeth for up to 2 hours after consuming them. But food can also heal, even reduce inflammation: The quickest way to do this is to reduce the total number of calories consumed each day (e.g. minimising carbohydrate consumption and avoiding "sweet" snacks in particular).
It is also advisable to select fats (e.g. cooking with rapeseed oil, favouring polyunsaturated fatty acids in fatty sea fish, avocado, nuts, etc.) and to avoid the consumption of saturated fatty acids of animal and vegetable origin (palm kernel fat, coconut fat, etc.). Many plants and herbs contain so-called secondary plant substances, such as spinach or blueberries, which can also improve oral health if consumed regularly.
Expert tip
Check your food and beverages for hidden sugars and try to minimise snacks, including sweetened drinks. Eat a portion of berries more often (e.g. blueberries) or spinach.