Good nutrition is essential for maintaining strong teeth and gums and avoiding diseases such as cavities, gum disease, and more. Understanding the role of nutrition in oral health from a dentist near you will help you make good food choices that keep your teeth and gums healthy, prevent cavities, and support overall well-being.
How Nutrition Affects Oral Health?
Nutrition affects your oral health in significant ways. Healthy foods provide your teeth and gums with vitamins and minerals, which are vital to keep them strong. Calcium in foods, such as milk and cheese, keeps teeth and bones strong. Fruits and veggies that are high in water help to clean your mouth and make more saliva, which washes away food and bacteria.
Furthermore, food that contains sugar and starch helps plaque—a sticky film of bacteria that causes diseases in your teeth—such as tooth decay, gum disease, and more. A proper diet will help to maintain health and cleanliness in the mouth.
Foods that are Good for Teeth
Here are some foods that one needs to consume to have healthy teeth, including;
Dairy Products
Milk, cheese, and yogurt are good for teeth. They contain calcium, a mineral that strengthens teeth and bones. Cheese stimulates the production of more saliva, which helps clean food particles, bacteria, and more. Yogurt has probiotics that help combat the bad bacteria in the mouth.
Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and veggies are full of water and fibres that clean your teeth and gums. Examples of crunchy fruits and vegetables include apples, carrots, celery, and more. The act of chewing these crunchy foods stimulate your gums and increase the flow of saliva, which will help to remove plaque, food particles, and more from the mouth.
Leafy Greens
Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens are full of vitamins and minerals, including calcium. They are also high in folic acid, a B vitamin. Many studies have identified that folic acid helps to prevent gum disease. A great way to improve your oral health is by adding leafy greens to your diet.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts such as almonds and walnuts and seeds such as sesame seeds are good for teeth. They have low sugars while the level of calcium and phosphorus is high, helping to protect the outer layer of the teeth, i.e., enamel. Moreover, nuts and seeds stimulate saliva production, which helps rinse bacteria from the mouth effectively.
Water
Water plays an important role in general health as well as oral health. Drinking water keeps your mouth clean by removing food particles, bacteria, and more. Fluoridated water, however, is even better with a small percentage of added fluoride, since fluoride contributes to your teeth’s strength and prevents cavities.
Foods to Avoid for Healthy Teeth
Here are some of the foods that one needs to avoid to have healthy teeth:
Sugary Foods and Drinks
Candy, soda, and even other sugary foods and drinks are bad for teeth. The sugar in these foods promotes the bacteria in your mouth, which produces acid that damages tooth enamel. This can lead to dental problems like cavities and more. Sticky candies like caramels and gummies are particularly harmful since they adhere to your teeth and are difficult to remove.
Starchy Foods
Foods such as bread, chips, and pasta contain a good amount of starch, which affects your teeth. Starch breaks down into sugar in your mouth, feeding the bacteria that cause cavities. Additionally, starchy foods can get stuck between your teeth, allowing plaque to form.
Citrus Fruits
Some fruits, like oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and more, are good for the body and teeth. However, the acid in citrus fruits can erode the enamel of teeth, making them more sensitive and allowing further cavity development. Therefore, to neutralize the acid, rinse your mouth with water after consuming citrus fruits.
Dried Fruits
Dried fruits such as raisins, apricots, and prunes are healthy snacks but not good for teeth. They are high in sugar, which certainly feeds bacteria that will make acid and potentially develop cavities if you don’t properly brush and floss your teeth. Most dried fruits are rather sticky, and they adhere to teeth, providing a source for bacteria.
Alcohol
Alcohol-containing beverages, such as wine, beer, and more, will dry the mouth. A dry mouth means less saliva. Saliva is important to help rinse food and bacteria from the mouth. Without enough saliva, your chances of getting cavities, gum disease, and more dental problems are higher. Alcohol can make your mouth acidic, which can weaken the enamel on your teeth.
Tips for Good Oral Health Through Nutrition
Here are some tips for good oral health nutrition:
- Have a balanced diet: Practice a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. The sugars and starches of sweet and refined carbohydrates can contribute to tooth decay, especially if good oral hygiene habits are not followed.
- Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated keeps your mouth moist and your saliva flowing. Saliva helps to remove bacteria from the mouth and neutralize acids that can wear down teeth. Drink plenty of water regularly throughout the day, especially when you can’t brush your teeth after a meal.
- Limiting consumption of snacks: Constant snacking increases the chance of developing cavities as the bacteria in the mouth get a consistent food supply. Where snacking is necessary, healthy options such as fruits, vegetables, or nuts are recommended.
- Regular visits to the dentist: Regular dental checkups help in the early detection and treatment of oral conditions. Your dentist will also be able to advise you on how you can enhance your oral health through your diet.
Contact Aspen Dental Clinic Today for an Oral Health Consultation!
Aspen Dental Clinic offers quality dental care to patients of all ages. Our friendly dentist in Rocky Mountain House uses modern equipment to keep your teeth healthy. We offer comprehensive services, including regular cleanings and checkups, dental crowns, orthodontics, and more, to keep your mouth healthy. If you have any concerns regarding your oral health, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule your dental appointments
