Your Diet and Your Dental Health: Everything You Need to Know for a Brighter Smile
Tooth decay is the most common health condition, affecting as many as nine out of 10 people worldwide. Tooth decay is caused by the oral bacteria that live in plaque. Plaque is a colorless, sticky biofilm that adheres to teeth. When you eat something starchy, sweet, or high in carbohydrates, the bacteria that live in plaque release acid, which damages and ultimately decays teeth. Tooth decay can lead to pain, reduced function, lost teeth, and lower quality of life.
Brushing and flossing are some of our best defensive weapons against tooth decay. We can use good dental hygiene practices to remove dental plaque and protect our teeth. There’s more you can do, however, to keep your smile safe. Our dentist in Georgia recommends eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy products, lean proteins, and whole grains. Here is what you need to know about eating a smile-friendly diet.
The Not-so-Sweet Truth about Sweets
Sugar is one of the biggest offenders when it comes to dental problems. The problem with sugar is that it fuels not only people but also bacteria. The human mouth is teeming with bacteria. Not all of them are dangerous or even bad, but some of them cause tooth decay and gum disease. These bacteria are fueled by the sugar in the foods you eat and not just added sugar but also naturally occurring sugars like those found in fruit juice and starchy foods.
The acid attacks on your teeth can continue for up to 20 minutes after you eat, which means that it’s not just about what you eat but when you eat. Frequent snacking or sipping on sugary drinks throughout the day can increase your risk of serious dental problems as well as general health issues, including weight gain, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Having a meticulous brushing and flossing routine and scheduling regular checkups with our dentist in Georgia are great starts, but you can prevent problems with the right diet.
Healthy Foods for a Healthy Smile
In most cases, foods that support overall wellness will also help keep your smile healthy. Some foods, however, are better than others when it comes to keeping your teeth strong and your gums gingivitis-free.
Dairy
Milk, cheese, and unsweetened yogurt are excellent sources of bone-building calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients that are necessary for building strong teeth. Dairy products also stimulate saliva flow, and saliva helps neutralize oral acids and brings minerals to your teeth. If you cannot drink milk or simply don’t like it, plant-based alternatives can also be good choices. Just make sure that they are fortified with calcium and vitamin D.
Fresh Produce
Vegetables and fruits are some of the most important foods for both your smile and your body. They’re great sources of many of the vitamins your teeth and gums need, including vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K. Look for bright-colored veggies. Red bell peppers, dark and leafy greens, broccoli, melons, strawberries, pears, blueberries, citrus fruits, apples, and sweet potatoes are all good choices.
Choose fresh whenever possible to get the most benefits. Fresh fruits and veggies are high in fiber and water content, which can help mechanically scrub teeth, stimulate saliva flow, and strengthen your dental health.
Lean Proteins
Lean meat, fish, poultry, beans, tofu, eggs, and nuts are all excellent sources of lean protein, and they’re also good sources of the phosphorus and other minerals your teeth and jawbone need to stay strong.
Whole Grains
While simple carbohydrates and starches feed the bacteria in your mouth, whole grains are good sources of complex carbohydrates, which are harder to break down. Foods such as oats, barley, wheat, and rice, also have an added benefit: They are great sources of magnesium, which your teeth use to replace minerals lost in acid attacks.
Drink Options
What you drink matters as much as what you eat. Sugar-sweetened beverages make up a large percentage of the beverages Americans drink, but these drinks are bad for our teeth and often nutritionally empty. Instead of reaching for soda, energy drinks, or sweetened coffee beverages, consider a tooth-friendly alternative.
Water is the best drink for your teeth. There’s never a bad time to drink plain fluoridated water. You can add some ice and enjoy it cold, pop it in an aluminum bottle to enjoy when you're on the go, or infuse it with cucumber slices and mint leaves for a bit of extra flavor.
Sparkling water and flavored water can also be enjoyed safely in moderation. However, check the ingredients before drinking to ensure the water does not have added sugar and isn’t high in citric acid.
Green tea is another tooth-friendly beverage. It’s a great source of the antioxidants your gums need and has plaque-fighting polyphenols.
When you have a drink that contains sugars or citric acid, use a straw to minimize contact between the beverage and your teeth. Rinse with water when you’re finished. Avoid sipping sweet drinks all day long, which exposes your teeth to constant acid attacks.
Oral Health and Whole Body Health
Your mouth is a gateway to the rest of your body, and if your teeth and gums are sick, then your risk of general health problems increases. Researchers have found links between dental problems and many other health issues, including pregnancy complications, respiratory infections, obesity, diabetes, stroke, heart attack, and dementia.
Some general health problems can increase the risk of dental problems too, and if you have heart disease, diabetes, or some autoimmune disorders, you might need to schedule more frequent dental visits to our office in Georgia to monitor your smile’s health.
Luckily, most dental problems are preventable with a combination of regular dental cleanings, good dental hygiene, and a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet. Contact our office today to learn more or to schedule your next checkup with our dentist in Georgia.
