Today, Jan. 17, is a special day for all food lovers: it is the World Pizza Day, a tribute to this beloved Italian dish and an opportunity to reflect on how this dish can influence our oral health.
When we talk about pizza, we often think of a guilty pleasure. However, a margherita pizza prepared with fresh, quality ingredients is actually an example of nutritionally balanced meal. Provides a well-balanced mix of essential macronutrients:
- the flour base provides energy in the form of complex carbohydrates
- cheese, particularly mozzarella cheese, adds high quality protein
- The olive oil used in the preparation provides healthy fats
While pizza can be a balanced addition to our diet, it is important to consider some aspects to Keeping our teeth healthy:
- Beware of the carbohydrates! The flour in the pizza base is rich in complex carbohydrates that, during chewing, break down into simpler sugars. These sugars can be a source of nourishment for harmful bacteria in the mouth, which produce acids causing tooth decay.
- L'acidity of tomato sauce: another aspect to consider is the acidity of the tomato sauce, which can contribute to theerosion of dental enamel.
- Additional ingredients: if you love pizzas with lots of additions, remember that some sauces and ingredients can be rich in hidden sugars.
A good oral hygiene practice after enjoying a pizza is to Wait about 20 minutes before brushing teeth. This time allows the saliva to neutralize the acids and begin the process of remineralization of the enamel.
So let's enjoy World Pizza Day, but let's not forget to take care of our oral health!
[Medical Director: Dr. Mauro Savio, Member of the Dentists Register Provincial Order of Surgeons and Dentists of Milan n. 4168].
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