Understanding Nutrition And Your Dental Health For A Healthy Summer

By improving your diet, you may be able to prevent two of the most common dental diseases - tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease

. Decay results when acid products from oral bacteria, which can be caused by certain foods and food combinations, destroy the teeth and other hard tissues of the mouth. Even though poor nutrition does not directly cause periodontal disease, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and is more severe in patients whose diet does not supply the necessary nutrients.

Poor nutrition ultimately affects the entire immune system, thereby increasing susceptibility to many disorders. People with lowered immune systems have been shown to be at higher risk for periodontal disease. Eating a variety of foods as part of a well-balanced diet may not only improve your dental health, but increasing fiber and vitamin intake may also reduce the risk of other diseases.

Eat Properly to Protect Your Mouth

We are all at risk for cavities, but you can significantly lower your risk by limiting the amount of sugar that hits your teeth in the first place. The longer foods that promote plaque bacteria stay in your mouth, the worse it is. In the end, it is not necessarily the amount of sweets you eat, but how often you eat them. As bacteria accumulate in your mouth, the sugar and starches from non-nutritious foods and drinks are converted to acid. In turn, the acid begins to attack the enamel on your teeth, and over time this causes decay.

Encompassing nutritional foods into your daily diet may sound easy, but many types of bread, pasta, cereal, and fruit juice contain sugars and starches that lead to the build-up of plaque. This doesn't mean you have to avoid these foods all together, however. Just be mindful of how frequently you consume these foods and limit your portions.

Healthy food choices include firm fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, nuts, milk and water that stimulate the flow of saliva and help protect tooth enamel from decay; while foods to avoid include those high in added sugars, which include candy, soft drinks and cookies. Your Charlotte dentist can help you determine the most suitable nutrition plan for your body's needs.

Watch How Often You Eat

How often you eat also plays a major role in the health of your teeth and gums. Tooth decay is caused by acid attacking the teeth and when the teeth are exposed to acid for extended periods of time, the risk of tooth decay developing greatly increases. Generally each meal we eat affects our teeth, but as long as there is enough time between eating, our teeth can repair themselves and cope with the acid before it causes damage.

Avoid sipping acidic drinks, such as soda, for long periods of time, and try to eat your sugar-filled treats right after a meal. Brushing your teeth after meals with fluoride toothpaste can also help keep your teeth strong, protected and more resistant to acid attacks.

Eating a well-balanced diet can help you achieve a leaner body and a healthier smile. Coupled with good oral hygiene, including routine visits to your dentist in Charlotte, a nutritional diet can go a long way to helping prevent cavities and gum disease.

by: Gen Wright

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