Oral health: Unhealthy eating can kill your smile

Don't let tooth decay sneak up on you! Dr Boitumelo Fatola shares surprising foods that can harm your teeth and offers tips on maintaining a healthy smile

Your diet is more connected to your smile than you may think, and making mindful choices can be the difference between good oral health and a long list of dental problems.

Dentist Dr Boitumelo Fatola, based in Limpopo, explains that many of the foods we eat daily play a significant role in damaging our teeth.

“Most of the food that we eat is acidic, and bacteria grow and thrive in acidity. The acid wears down the protective layer of the tooth, called enamel, which is how food impacts both our teeth and our overall oral health.”

While sweets are often blamed for tooth decay, Fatola notes that many other foods can be just as harmful. “Yes, sweets do contribute to tooth decay, but it’s also the foods we often overlook, like snacks, chips, and biscuits, that stick to our teeth and cause damage.”

Caring for your teeth

“Even milk, which people don’t realise, can be a culprit. Milk tends to stay longer on our teeth, increasing the chances of decay.”

To maintain good oral hygiene, she advises reducing the intake of sugary foods like chocolates and sticky sweets. She also highlights the importance of proper oral care habits. “The best thing you can do for yourself is to rinse your mouth after eating and make brushing your teeth a priority – every morning when you wake up and every evening before bed.”

“You do that because you want to take out all the food debris and everything that you have been eating throughout the day that has been stuck in your mouth.”

She also underlines hydration, brushing regularly twice a day, and flossing as the pillars of keeping your oral health healthy.