The foods you choose and how often you eat them can affect your dental health. Researchers and dental professionals have for long established a connection between nutrition and oral health. In this article, we’ll discuss how nutrition and oral health are co-related with each other and what should be included in your diet to maintain good oral hygiene.
Effects of Certain Foods On Your Oral Health
We’ve often been warned against eating too much of chocolate, desserts, and junk foods like burgers, chips, and more. While we all know that these foods do have a considerable impact on our waistline, many of us aren’t aware that they also can damage our oral health.
Regular consumption of sugary and acidic food and beverages can result in cavities and tooth decay that can affect your oral, as well as overall health. Here are some food and beverages that you should avoid for healthy teeth and gums.
Sugary and sticky foods
Chocolates, cakes, and candies contain high amounts of sugar and fats. Intake of sugary items destroy your tooth enamel. The bacteria that are present in your mouth love feeding on the sugar content in these foods, causing an acidic reaction. It leads to the erosion of the protective outer layer of the tooth – the tooth enamel – exposing your teeth to damage.
Alcohol
You may not know, but alcohol causes dehydration and dry mouth. This reduces saliva flow that can cause serious dental problems over time such as tooth decay and gum disease. The acidity of alcohol and wine can leave you at a higher risk for cavities as they can chemically erode the outer surface of your enamel, leading to dental problems.
Junk foods
Consumption of starchy foods such as white bread, pizza, potato chips, burgers, and pasta affect your dental health. Starchy foods can be easily converted into sugar because of the digestive process that begins in your mouth. The sugar present in these foods causes your enamel to decalcify leading to tooth decay.
Nutrition For Dental Health
Dairy Products and Healthy Vegetables
Dairy products contain calcium that strengthens your bones and offers structural support to your teeth. Make sure to eat calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. Inadequate intake of calcium weakens your teeth structure and puts you at risk for gum disease, cavities, and jaw bone loss. Apart from dairy products, you can include beans and greens that are also packed with calcium.
Fruits
Fruits such as orange, grapefruit, strawberry, lemon, and kiwi are rich in Vitamin C that promote healthy gums and helps heal any wounds quickly. Vitamin C helps keep a check on the growth of cancer-generating cells. Thus, it prevents the risk of oral cancer. Make sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly after consuming them to avoid teeth staining from certain citrus fruits.
Having a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean protein and more that provide vital nutrients are essential for good dental health. Apart from this, regular dental checkups can help you maintain good oral health. To know more about how you can implement good nutrition for great oral health, get in touch with us at Beverly Heights Dental.
