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Your mouth is the entry point for food and the beginning of the gastrointestinal tract. The ability to chew and swallow is a vital function required to obtain essential nutrients for your body, which are the building blocks of good health. By promoting healthy development and maintenance of your mouth's tissues and natural protective mechanisms, you can help promote a lifetime of good oral health. On the other hand, certain foods can also cause plaque development which increases the risk for oral diseases. Taking care of your mouth is an important step in maintaining good health. Good eating habits, brushing, flossing and fluoride are all important aspects of maintaining proper oral and overall health. Sugar and Your Teeth Bacteria that are naturally occurring in the mouth devour sugar, creating acids that attack tooth enamel which can lead to tooth decay. Living in a fast food culture such as ours it's easy to bypass a nutritious diet in favor of a diet that is comprised of fast food and snacks that are high in sugar. The detrimental effects of this lifestyle are clear with more than 25 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 5 having experienced tooth decay. Almost 80 percent of young people, therefore, will have had at least one cavity by the age of 17. Today the average person consumes approximately 150 pounds of sugar a year, which is equivalent to 40 teaspoons a day. People don't realize how many high-content sugar products are out there. In these cases, education is key to creating a nutritious diet, as well as visiting your dentist at least twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings. Maintain a Healthy Diet You can improve your oral health and reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease by eating a well-balanced diet based on the well-known food pyramid. It is recommended that eating a variety of foods from the five major food groups - grains, fruit, vegetables, milk and meat - are highly important. Vitamin and mineral supplements can also help in the preservation of periodontal health in addition to the boosting of overall health and well-being. Your dentist and family physician can help you determine a healthy diet for your needs. Avoid fad diets that limit or eliminate entire food groups, which results in vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Always keep your mouth moist by drinking water because your saliva protects both hard and soft oral tissues. When you have a dry mouth, substitute your diet with sugarless candy or gum to stimulate your saliva. Additionally, avoid foods that cling to your teeth, which promote tooth decay. When snacking, avoid soft, sweet, sticky foods such as cakes, candy and dried fruits. Substitute these snacks with tooth friendly foods such as nuts, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese and sugarless gum or candy. Protect your mouth beginning with proper nutrition and dieting. Contact Dr. Jeffrey Feffer your Lakeview and Lincoln Park dentist in 60614 today for advice on proper nutrition.
Dr. Jeffrey Feffer is a leading and experienced dentist in Lincoln Park and Lakeview. Bringing 30 years of experience to the dental field and a passion for helping each patient achieve their best smile, this dentist in Lakeview and Lincoln Park, is qualified to handle any dental need for patients of every age.
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