How Does Good Nutrition Lead to Healthy Teeth?
Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods from all the food groups promotes healthy teeth and gums. A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein foods, calcium-rich foods and whole grains provides essential nutrients for optimum oral health as well as overall health. If your diet is low in the nutrients your body needs, your mouth may have a more difficult time resisting infection, which contributes to periodontal disease. Poor nutrition does not cause periodontal disease, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and can be more severe in people with nutrient-poor diets. How does good nutrition lead to healthy teeth? Let’s find out!
What You Eat Impacts Your Oral Health
What you eat and drink comes in contact with your teeth. The choices of what you consume impacts the health of your teeth and gums. The typical American diet contains a lot of processed foods and sugary drinks that are acidic. This type of food erodes your tooth enamel, which eventually causes cavities.
Cavities
Food choices play an important part in the potential for tooth decay. There are foods that damage your teeth, and other foods that contain necessary nutrients to keep your teeth strong and healthy. If you are looking to adopt better eating habits, it will benefit your overall health and your oral health. The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion has structured a food pyramid at ChooseMyPlate.gov to provide guidelines of healthy servings from all the necessary food groups.
Food options for children and teens develop eating patterns in their young lives. The types of foods they eat affect how quickly they are susceptible to tooth decay. Bacteria come in contact with food in the mouth, producing acid which then attacks the teeth. This eventually leads to tooth decay, especially if the daily habits of tooth brushing and flossing are neglected.
From their early lives, parents should limit snacks that are starchy or sticky and limit sugary or acidic foods and soft drinks. Some of the foods that contain essential nutrients to keep your teeth healthy and strong and that are good for your overall health are as follows:
Fruit and Vegetables
Fruit and vegetables are high in fiber which keeps saliva flowing in your mouth. Saliva helps create mineral defenses against tooth decay. Good sources of fiber and vitamins include fresh fruits, such as bananas, apples, and oranges. Vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, beans, peas, almonds, peanuts, and bran are also beneficial.
Chewing foods such as carrots, apples, and cucumbers, are good for your teeth. Chewing acts as a cleansing mechanism and the destructive bacteria gets cleared away instead of remaining on your teeth.
Calcium
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), foods containing calcium and phosphorus, can help keep tooth enamel strong and healthy, and you are not as likely to develop gum disease. Calcium is the chief mineral to prevent tooth decay, especially for growing children. Dairy products such as yogurt, milk, and cheese are great sources of calcium. Leafy greens, canned fish, almonds, Brazil nuts and dried beans also contain a lot of calcium.
Water is the Best Beverage
Fluoridated tap water will protect your teeth and it has many other health benefits. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and it also reverses early decay.
Routine Dental Check Ups
Proper nutrition along with regular brushing and flossing and routine dental checkups are important components for healthy teeth. Make an appointment today with Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS to check on the health of your teeth. Call our office at (720) 409-0008, or contact us online.
Make a commitment to eating healthy, natural foods that will benefit your overall health and your oral health.
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