As we all know, fruits are extremely useful: it’s an axiom. Fresh fruits are firmly connected in our minds with health, and this association is almost impossible to destroy. Yes, and do not – except that you should take into account some of the effects of fruit on the color of our tooth enamel: some foods do not make the teeth darker, but on the contrary, retain their color, while other products are best avoided. And there are many fruits among them!
Fruit and teeth: risk groups
As you know, most fruits and vegetables contain natural pigments – colorants. For example, carrots, peaches, melons, pumpkin – carotenoids, tomatoes and pepper – lycopene (it belongs to the same carotenoids, not yellow or orange, but red), plums, blueberries, blackberries – anthocyanins, giving them the characteristic shades of blue.
Pigmented molecules – the chromogens contained in food and drinks, easily settle on the surface of the teeth. This is also facilitated by tannins (the same tannins) that are found in high concentrations in coffee, tea, red wine, many vegetables and fruits. Of course, under condition of normal oral hygiene, no products are able to steadily stain tooth enamel in yellow or blue shade, even if you eat them with kilograms.
However, in the case of tooth whitening, especially medical (more powerful than home), tooth enamel is easier to “absorb” third-party substances, and in this case, pigmented fruit can become a problem. Naturally, many people who have whitened their teeth are concerned about how to preserve the result, so in this case some fruits should be avoided. Among the products that change the shade of the enamel or make the teeth darker, carotene-containing fruits and vegetables (carrots, mangoes, pumpkins, etc.), as well as berries with a rich blue color – blueberry, blueberry, currant, can be distinguished.
In general, all the gifts of nature, having a rich and dark color, especially such as blackberries, blueberries, blueberries, cherries, mulberries, can lead to the staining of the enamel of the teeth. From vegetables, a powerful dye is considered to be a beet because of the high content of chromogens. Therefore, in order to prevent the formation of a persistent dark plaque on the teeth, after brushing, it is recommended to clean the teeth.
Drinks that should be excluded
Also, carefully observe what you are drinking, especially if you like fresh. Those drinks that paint a white shirt – like coffee or tea – will also “paint” your teeth. Therefore, after the procedure of teeth whitening, exclude for a time from the diet sweet carbonated drinks, such as Coca-Cola, as well as coffee, tea, red wine. By the way, even soy sauce is dangerous in this respect: many seasonings, having a yellow or brown tint, are also included in the list of products that color the teeth. Because of the bright color and high content of acids, tomato-based sauces are harmful to teeth. Chocolate and caramel from its color also lead to darkening of the enamel. Some drugs, for example a number of antibiotics, can also trigger a discoloration of the tooth enamel.
Fruit and teeth: positive impact is ambiguous
In general, proper nutrition is an important factor in protecting not only the visible surface of the teeth, but also hidden under the gums of their parts: it contributes to the overall health of the oral cavity, normalizes the local microflora and protects from the corrosive effects of corrosive substances on the enamel from the outside. And fruits are an integral part of proper nutrition.
Solid fruits and vegetables such as apples, cauliflower, asparagus, carrots, celery, etc. act like a natural exfoliant, mechanically scraping the plaque when we chew. The problem is that our teeth and gums are used to soft, processed food and stopped functioning normally, as a result, plaque and circulatory disorders appeared. Just a couple of tough vegetables or fruits a day – and the gums are provided with a good massage, and the teeth – cleaning from a harmful unaesthetic plaque. In addition, these vegetables stimulate the secretion of saliva, constantly washing the oral cavity and reducing the number of microbes and bacteria.
Also, many solid fruits they promote salivation, which neutralizes acids and protects the teeth. And lactic and other fruit acids, contained in the vast majority of fruits, kill many pathogenic bacteria and thus prevent periodontal disease. So lemons, oranges, grapefruits and apples are unequivocal friends for our teeth. (But still remember that no fruit will replace a toothbrush!)
A special emphasis should be placed on apples: scientists found that one apple contains one and a half times more antioxidants than they are contained in three oranges or eight bananas. In addition, apple juice neutralizes those oral bacteria that contribute to the destruction of tooth enamel and tooth structure. In addition, many foods rich in calcium, for example, not only cheese, cottage cheese and sour cream, but all varieties of cabbage, spinach, help keep teeth white and stronger.
However, on the other hand, caries provoke precisely “acid-loving” bacteria, so do not be too zealous with these fruits. They are helped to neutralize dairy products, as well as seeds or nuts: they form an alkaline environment in the oral cavity, which to some extent neutralizes the acid that causes caries. The cheese has similar properties. Therefore, it is believed that such products are better last at every meal.
In addition, excessively acidic fruits (especially concentrated juices), eaten in large quantities, destroy the enamel, especially if immediately after their application, brush your teeth. Acid plus mechanical action cause a kind of erosion. Therefore, the first prevention is to try to drink all the juices (even white wine or water with lemon), through the tube, and also in no case immediately brush your teeth (it is better to wait 10-20 minutes). Also, to neutralize the excessively active effect of acid after consuming acid fruits and berries (oranges, pineapples, kiwi, etc.), you can rinse your mouth with alkaline mineral water (you can drink it normally, but the effect will not be the same).
Image credit: romanov