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Proper nutrition is important in the maintenance of your oral health, which means eating a well-balanced diet so that your body can get the essential nutrients needed for good health. The foods that you choose to eat provide the building blocks needed for renewing your body and this includes your mouth. If your diet is low in the nutrients that your body needs, your mouth may have a more difficult time resisting infection. In addition to nutritional deficiencies that may weaken your immune system, you can also harm your teeth and gums by eating the wrong types of food. The foods that you choose to eat come into contact with various germs and bacteria that live in your mouth. If you do not properly brush your teeth, plaque will accumulate on your teeth. Plaque thrives on the starches and sugars that are found in a great deal of foods, which when combined together create an acid that attacks the enamel on your teeth, eventually causing decay. According to the American Dental Association, acid that is created attacks your teeth for 20 minutes or more. Soda Attacks your Teeth Living in a fast food era, it is hard for people to avoid the urge to drink sugar filled soda. Many people will grab a pop, or iced tea instead of water. Pop doesn't just contain empty calories, but it also contains sugars that can harm enamel, which is the protective shell around your teeth. Over time exposing dental enamel to carbonated beverages and non-carbonated canned ice tea weakens and permanently destroys enamel, according to the Academy of General Dentistry. About 27 percent of the beverages that are consumed by Americans are soft drinks, which have steadily increased over the years and continue to rise. As a result, oral health problems, mainly cavities, have continued to rise every year. Repeated exposure over a long period of time increases your risk of getting a cavity. Drinking pop through a straw may help in reducing the amount of soda that comes into direct contact with your teeth. It is also recommended that rinsing your mouth out with water after drinking and using toothpaste that contains fluoride may also help in preventing further damage from the sugars. Choose 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. By eating in moderation and variety you can develop eating habits that follow the recommendations of various reputable health organizations to protect your oral health as well as your overall health. 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 your Rochester Hills dentist today for advice on proper nutrition.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading family dentist in Rochester Hills, Dr. Phyllis Indianer. Dr. Indianer has been in dental health for 25 years and is a native of Southeastern Michigan. Infection control and the use of local dental laboratories are a top priority for this cosmetic dentist in Rochester.
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