As the days get shorter and the cold weather starts to dictate our eating habits, ordering a takeaway becomes a more appealing option than heading out for a meal. With such a variety to choose from, whether your favourite is Indian, Italian or traditional British food, these dishes are only ever a phone call away!
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However, before dialling your local eatery it may be worth sparing a thought for your teeth. Here Dr Sameer Patel, one of the UK’s leading dental experts and Clinical Director at award-winning practice Elleven (www.ellevendental.com), warns that most popular takeaway foods contain lots of added ingredients that can wreak havoc on our teeth as well as our waistlines.
Italian – Acid Erosion
Pizza and pasta are two of the most popular dishes in the UK and are rarely associated with tooth decay. However, white pizza bases and pastas are refined carbohydrates which contain simplesugars that dissolve quickly. This causes a surge of acid inside the mouth and when combined with the acidity of tomatoes, can erode tooth enamel and ultimately lead to sensitivity. These foods also take on a gummy consistency when chewed that can allow small particles to get trapped between teeth and stick to the surface. Flossing as part of your daily oral hygiene routine is the most effective way to remove trapped food and chewing sugar-free chewing gum can limit damage by making your mouth produce more saliva - helping to cancel out the acid in your mouth after eating or drinking.
Indian and Chinese – Tooth Staining
It's not just dark beverages such as tea and coffee that will stain your teeth - any heavily pigmented food can lead to tooth discoloration and curry powder is one such culprit. Whilst this staple ingredient of Indian cuisine isn’t particularly dark, the deep pigment can stain teeth yellow over time. Dark liquids used to flavour foods, such as soy sauce, can produce the same effect so if you do eat sushi or Chinese food, and use the soy sauce sparingly. Dr Sameer Patel advises using the example of a white t-shirt: anything that would stain this is likely to stain the surface of your teeth in the same way. He also recommends eating an appetizer of spinach or broccoli first, as these green veggies form a protective film over teeth, making them less porous and susceptible to staining.Opting for lighter coloured condiments such as rice vinegar or lemon is also advisable.
Fish and Chips –Tooth Decay
Starchy foods are notorious for getting stuck in between your teeth and lodged between crevices. While they may not necessarily taste sweet, the starches can begin converting to sugar almost immediately through the pre-digestive process that begins in the mouth. Processed foods are also notorious for using sugar as a preservative or flavour enhancer: ‘sugar can come in many different forms and the batter on fish and associated sauces such as ketchup, are culprits for having a high sugar content’ explains Dr Sameer. Whilst limiting sugar intake to meal times is not a cause for concern, snacking on starchy foods at regular intervals is what can cause problems. Dr Sameer advises rinsing your mouth with water after consumption to help fight tooth decay: ‘This washes away trapped food, whilst the fluoride content fights against bacteria and prevents mineral loss in tooth enamel’.
Kebabs – Jaw Ache
Believe it or not, the foods you eat can have a big impact on the health of the joints in your jaw and the tough texture of the meat used for kebabs, is sometimes associated with jaw ache. Eating a high amount of very chewy foods can overwork and overextend your jaw – leading to strains. Dr Sameer explains, ‘anytime you overuse a certain set of muscles, it can lead to contracted muscles and related pain, including headaches, and toothaches over time’. Most obviously, try limiting the number of problem foods you consume and be sure to distribute the way you chew your food evenly around the mouth.
Tagged in Dental Health Oral health