Nutrition – Your Oral Health
What you eat has an impact on your entire body, from the top of your head to the tip of your toe! The foods you eat and how frequently you eat them influence your immunity, mood, and, of course, your oral health and gums. You may be at risk for tooth decay if you consume too many sugary sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, or non-nutritious snacks.
- Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, but the good news is that it is completely preventable with proper nutrition, a high calcium diet, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a low sugar diet.
- Tooth decay occurs when plaque in the mouth comes into contact with sugar, causing acid to attack the teeth.
- Sugary foods of any kind can contribute to tooth decay. To limit your sugar intake, read the nutrition facts and ingredient labels on foods and beverages and select those with the least amount of sugar.
Common Sources of Sugar:
Sugar is commonly found in biscuits, pastries, soft drinks, candy, cookies, and chocolates. A nutrition diet can also be recommended by your doctor or a registered dietitian. It may be more difficult for the tissues in your mouth to resist infection if your diet lacks certain nutrients. This may aggravate gum disease. Severe gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Many dentists believe that poor nutrition and bad eating habits cause the disease to progress faster and be more severe.
Some well-known good food options include:
- Think before you eat and drink for a healthy lifestyle and oral health and gums. Not only what you eat, but also when you eat, can have an impact on your oral health. Consume a well-balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. When choosing nutrition foods if you are on a special diet, keep your doctor’s advice in mind.
- Keep the following tips in mind when selecting meals,nutrition and snacks for good oral health:
- Get plenty of water.
- Include nutrition foods from each of the five major food groups in your diet, such as:
- Whole grains
- berries
- fruits and vegetables
- lean protein sources such as lean beef, skinless poultry, and fish; dry beans, peas, and other nuts such as walnuts and almonds.
- Sugar-free low-fat and fat-free dairy products.
- Reduce the number of snacks you consume. If you must snack, choose something healthy such as fruit, vegetables, or a piece of cheese. As more saliva is released during a meal, foods eaten as part of a meal causes less harm to teeth than snacks eaten throughout the day. Saliva aids in the removal of food from the mouth and reduces the effects of acids, which can harm teeth and cause cavities.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and see your dentist on a regular basis for good oral health. Your dentist can help prevent oral problems from occurring in the first place and diagnose those that do occur in the early stages, when they are easy to treat, with regular dental care.
Avoiding Foods for Better Oral Health:
You probably already know what foods and drinks to avoid in order to protect your teeth, such as sugary foods like candy and soda.
Other foods to avoid are:
- Citrus fruits
- Tea and coffee
- Alcohol
It is acceptable to eat and drink from this list on occasion. Just remember to limit your consumption to keep your teeth healthy for years to come.
- Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits, such as lemons and limes, contain acids that can erode your teeth’s enamel. This erosion can eventually result in tooth decay. Consume citrus-based juices in moderation. If you do consume it, make sure to rinse your mouth with plain water afterwards.
- Tea and coffee
Coffee and tea aren’t particularly bad for your teeth. What you should be worried about is when you add sugar to balance out the flavour. In addition, caffeinated tea and coffee can cause dry mouth and stain your teeth.
- Alcohol
It is well known that alcohol causes dry mouth and dehydration. While alcohol is acceptable in moderation, excessive consumption can impair your ability to produce saliva. This significantly increases your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and even mouth cancer.
Visit your nearest Partha dental clinic today if you have any oral health problems!
