• 07 JUL 21
    • 0
    Fast Food is Not Good For Your Oral Health

    Fast Food is Not Good For Your Oral Health

    Research has shown that eating fast food is not good for your overall health, but it’s not good for your oral health either! Fast foods lead to health problems such as obesity and diabetes, and it can also increase your risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Although the drive-through makes for a quick dinner, fast-food combination meals usually contain high-fat meats, white bread, soft drinks and fries, which creates the ideal environment for cavity-causing bacteria to flourish.

     

    Fast Food’s Effects on Your Oral Health:

     The combination of high fat meats and simple carbohydrates ferment and leave by-products in the grooves of your teeth, which are difficult to clean. Bacteria thrives in that environment and the toxins produced easily destroy the enamel and can cause cavities and gum disease. Here are other dangers of fast food on oral health:

     

    • Oral bacteria thrives on simple sugars produced when you eat carbohydrate-rich foods. The interaction between oral bacteria and simple sugars creates harsh acids that have the same effect as sugary food, eroding tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay, tooth sensitivity, and gum disease.

     

    • Added salt is not good 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 causes your body to excrete calcium, and teeth rely on calcium to produce structure and strength. Too much salt can lead to tooth loss and possibly osteoporosis!

     

    • Added sugar is not good for your waistline or your gum line! 12-ounces of soda contains 9.75 teaspoons of sugar, more than the recommended limit for an entire day! Sugars found in soda and other sugary drinks will break down the enamel of your teeth making them more prone to tooth decay and cavities and has been linked to other health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, weight gain, fatty liver, metabolic syndrome and arthritis.

     

    Find Alternatives to Fast Food

    To protect your teeth and promote good oral health, look for alternatives to fast food. Fresh foods made at home are more satisfying, more nutritious and cost less money than eating at a fast-food restaurant.

     

    Plan Ahead

    According to the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health, dental problems greatly impact every age group in the United States. You can avoid the trappings of the American diet if you plan your meals and snacks for the week and prepare large batches of easy foods such as brown rice, beans, and stir-fried or roasted vegetables.

    Pack serving size containers that can be thrown together for a nutritious dinner. Cut up veggies and fruit to have on hand, eat nuts instead of chips. Cheese, and boiled eggs are great snacks that provide protein and calcium, which strengthens your teeth. If you have healthy snacks and good meals on hand, you’re less likely to go through the drive-up window on your way home.

     

    Practice Good Oral Hygiene

    If you eat fast food, brush and floss your teeth 30 minutes after you’ve eaten. If you aren’t where you can brush, rinse your mouth with water and chew on sugarless gum. Removing the buildup of food debris can limit the oral harm caused by eating that cheeseburger.

     

    See Your Dentist On a Regular Basis

    “We are what we are tomorrow, by what we eat today.” If you are concerned about how your diet may be 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.

    Take your oral and overall health into your hands and begin making the changes needed today!

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