Have you noticed that when you meet a person for the first time, be it a man or a woman, one of the first things that you notice is his or her teeth? A set of healthy and well-set teeth can add to a person's overall beauty and charm, like no other body part. When have you seen a celebrity with bad teeth? Like there is nothing as cheerful and pleasant as a genuine smile, it only adds to the moment, when there is a set of good and shining teeth behind that winning smile.

Nearly everyone wants to have healthy teeth and gums. Unfortunately not many of us are blessed with a well-formed set of teeth and we eat all the wrong types of food to spoil the looks even further. We might be taking care of oral hygiene like every one else, we still find that our tooth decay is being hastened before it is time. What happens to our teeth and can we fix it with good diet? Strange as it may seem to you, but a healthy and balanced diet is behind the upkeep of a set of healthy teeth too.

First of all, we must remember that the acidic balance of our oral cavity is perhaps the most important factor in the maintenance of healthy teeth. Sweets and sugary foods are normally acid generating elements which if you go on having in an uncontrollable manner can result in dangerous and harmful cavities. However, eating sweets can be harmless if you have them with meals. This is because during meals plenty of saliva is produced which neutralizes the acids in a natural manner. So the harm which the sweets can bring to the teeth is negated. Of course sweets in between meals are also to be avoided and you need to go for healthier options if you want to save the health of your teeth. Here are some other tips for keeping healthy teeth with the help of a proper diet plan and altering your food habits:

• Eat lots of raw carrot. Chewing them keeps your gums healthy and gives your teeth a shine.
• Crackers with cheese is also a good option but remember to cleanse your mouth so that there are no harmful and bacteria-causing remains in your mouth, stuck between the teeth.
• Make your diet focus more on fruits and vegetables as these contain essential nutrients which are meant for the good of your teeth.
• 
  
• Did you know that apples are considered to be natural teeth cleansers?
• Cottage cheese is a good source of calcium, vital for the health of your teeth.
• Avoid aerated drinks which harm your teeth like none other. In fact, replace all your aerated and fizzy drinks with milk or plain water.
• 
  
• It is extremely critical to rinse your mouth after every snack or meal that you have. Never let food remain in your mouth for too long as it not only results in bad oral odor but becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
• 
  
• Take more calcium with your meals and if your foods do not contain adequate amounts of this essential item, think of taking calcium supplements. However natural calcium is really the best.
• A combination of a balanced diet, rich and calcium and maintenance of good oral hygiene can result in your teeth lasting a lifetime.