Does Oatmeal Cause Tooth Decay?

Food becomes the worst enemy when it comes to maintaining dental health. There is a long list of food items which the doctor prescribes to avoid to manage healthy teeth and gums. Undoubtedly, sugary and sticky food makes the major part of that list. Moreover, you must have heard your parents telling you to avoid any remains of food to stay in the corners. They know how harmful these remains can be for your oral health. Now the thing is what comes in the category of healthy food when dental hygiene is included? Is a healthy meal like oatmeal safe for our teeth?

What are Oats Made Up of?
Oats make a significant part of our healthy breakfast. It is a quick and best recipe for most of us. Especially, people who are in a hurry to rush to their work find it an excellent breakfast as it is full of nutrients that are essential for growth. It contains fibre that we require to sustain. Now, oats are simply grains that are broken and processed to make it an easy cook. That makes it as healthy as the grains in the form of chapati. But you need to know that the presence of grains brings in it-phytic acid. No doubt, phytic acid has got several health benefits, but the concern is that the acid restricts the absorption of a few minerals, including Zinc, Iron, and Calcium.

Is Oatmeal a Reason for Decay?
Having known about the constituents of oatmeal, it becomes easy to create an idea for the relation between oats and tooth decay. Moreover, everyone knows the importance of Calcium to bind the teeth together, and above, we have discussed how phytic acid opposes the absorption of Calcium. So, the risk of teeth decay in the context of oatmeal depends on the amount of phytic acid in it.

What are the Other Sources of Phytic Acid?
Not only the oatmeal but almost all the grains, seeds, nuts, and legumes contain phytic acid. So, too much consumption of these will not help you have excellent oral health. They can be a cause to undermine all our efforts to develop excellent dental health and prevent our body from the gains of essential minerals like zinc, Calcium, and Iron.

Now the point to be noted is oatmeal is a healthy food, and there is no great harm when it’s taken. The only thing is one must avoid too much consumption of the meal with a massive amount of phytic acid as it may lead to the deficiency of the required minerals.

Take Proper Dental Measures
It would be best if you remembered all the dental rules, so that you can compensate for the little harms you cause. The first thumb rule is the two minutes brushing twice a day and flossing once in a day. Secondly, you need to use mouthwash if you ever feel the brushing and flossing are not doing enough.

One must be preventive in approach when it comes to dental health. A periodic dental check will help in this case. You can also discuss with your dentist the amount of food you have been taking and their effects on oral health.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.