Fast Food is Not Good for Waistline or for Your Oral Health
Recent studies indicate that eating fast-food leads to numerous health problems including obesity and diabetes, but it’s not good for your oral health either. Fast-food increases your risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Cheeseburgers and pizza are loaded with carbs and they are usually accompanied by an ice-cold soda to wash it down. The carbonation and sugars in the soda break down tooth enamel and make them more prone to tooth decay and cavities. Eating a well-balanced diet is as important for healthy teeth and gums as regular oral hygiene.
How Does Fast-Food Affect Your Oral Health?
- Oral cavity-causing bacteria flourishes on simple sugars produced when you eat carbohydrate-rich foods. Oral bacteria and simple sugars create abrasive acids that have the same impact as eating sugary foods. Both erode tooth enamel, which leads to tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, and gum disease.
- High fat meat and the simple carbohydrates in hamburger buns or pizza, leave by-products in the grooves of your teeth, in areas that are difficult to clean. Cavity-causing bacteria thrive in that environment which eats away your tooth enamel and increases your chances for cavities and gum disease.
- The added sugar in a fast-food meal is not good for your waistline or for your gum line! A 12 ounce can of soda contains 9.75 teaspoons of sugar. This is more than the recommended limit for an entire day, and often the drinks in a fast-food meal are 32 oz. The sugars and acids found in soda break down your tooth enamel which makes them more prone to tooth decay and cavities. Soda has also been l associated with other health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, fatty liver, arthritis and metabolic syndrome.
- Fast foods are loaded with salt, which is not good for your overall health or for your oral health. A single fast-food meal contains 1,300 mg of sodium, more than half of the upper recommended limit for the day. A high-sodium diet triggers your body to expel calcium, which teeth need for structure and strength. Too much sodium can lead to tooth loss and osteoporosis!
What Are the Alternatives to Fast Food?
We live in a society that is always on the go, but if you want to protect your health and enjoy good oral health, find alternatives to eating fast-food. Fresh foods from home are more nutritious, more satisfying, and cost less than eating at a fast-food restaurant.
Plan Your Meals for the Week
According to the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health, dental problems impact every age group in the United States. If you plan your meals and snacks for the week, you can avoid getting sucked into eating the fast-food diet.
- Prepare large quantities of foods such as beans, brown rice and stir-fried vegetables. Pack serving size containers that can be put together for an easy lunch or a nutritious dinner.
- Cut up fresh fruits and vegetables to have on hand, and eat a variety of nuts instead of chips. Boiled eggs and cheese are delicious snacks that provide protein and calcium, which strengthens your teeth. With healthy snacks and good meals that are handy, the drive-up window is less appealing.
Make Regular Dental Appointments
If you’re concerned about how your diet is affecting your teeth, make an appointment with Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS by calling (720) 409-0008 or contact us online. Dr. Evanson provides a wide range of dental services for the whole family, and can help get you back on the path to good oral health and wellness by making the needed changes.
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