Nutrition plays a very essential role in oral health. The foods you choose can affect not only the health of your teeth and gums, but your general health too! By eating right, you are taking care of your mouth, gums, and teeth.
Here is some information from your dentist in Dallas, TX on how eating right can support your oral health.
Sugar
If you eat too much non-nutritious snacks, drink too many sweetened fruit drinks or sugar-rich sodas, you could be at risk for tooth decay. In fact, any beverage or food that has sugar in it promotes tooth decay.
To ensure that you have your sugar consumption under control, read the ingredient labels and nutrition facts on foods and beverages. Go for the options that are lowest in sugar. Typical sugar sources in the diet include candy, soft drinks, pastries, and cookies. If it’s possible, get suggestions from a registered dietician. If there are certain nutrients lacking in your diet, it might be harder for tissues in your mouth to combat and resist infection. Infection leads to gum disease, and gum disease leads to tooth loss. Gum problems progress faster in people with poor nutrition.
Snacking
Constant snacking can cause problems in the long run. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, dental health has more to do with how often we eat than what we eat. This means that constant snacking on sugary drinks and foods throughout the day means that we’re frequently feeding the cavity-causing germs that reside in our mouths.
Did you know that your body produces less saliva when you snack compared to when you are eating an actual meal? This means that snacking isn’t as effective at washing away food particles. If nutritional or medical advice calls for eating small meals throughout the day, choose healthy foods that are low in sugar. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water afterwards!
For healthy teeth and gums, and for healthy living in general, think before you eat and drink. For optimal dental health, don’t skip your appointments with your Dallas dentist. Additionally, keep these things in mind when choosing snacks and meals:
Eat a wide variety of foods from all the 5 major food groups, which includes:
- Fruits
- Whole grains
- Vegetables
- Fat-free and low-fat dairy foods
- Lean sources of protein like skinless poultry, fish, lean beef, peas, legumes, and dry beans
