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Nourishing Your Smile
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How does what I eat affect my oral
health?
 | You may be able to prevent two of the most common diseases of
modern civilization, tooth decay (caries) and periodontal
disease, simply by improving your diet. Decay results when the
hard tissues are destroyed by acid products from oral bacteria.
Certain foods and food combinations are linked to higher levels
of cavity-causing bacteria. Although 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.
Periodontal disease affects the supporting tissues of the teeth
and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. |
| Poor nutrition 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. Additionally, today's research shows a link
between oral health and systemic conditions, such as diabetes and
cardiovascular disease. So 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 reduce the risk of other
diseases. |
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How can I plan my meals and snacks
to promote better oral health?
| Fat a well-balanced diet characterized by moderation and
variety. Develop eating habits that follow the recommendations
from reputable health organizations such as The American
Dietetic Association and The National Institutes of Health.
Choose foods from the four basic food groups: fruits and
vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, meat,
chicken, fish or beans. Avoid fad diets that limit or eliminate
entire food groups which usually result in vitamin or mineral
deficiencies. |
| Always keep your mouth moist by drinking lots of water. Saliva
protects both hard and soft oral tissues. If you have a dry
mouth, supplement your diet with sugarless candy or gum to
stimulate saliva. |
| Foods that cling to your teeth promote tooth decay. So when
you snack, avoid soft, sweet, sticky foods, such as cakes, candy
and dried fruits. Instead, choose dentally healthy foods such as
nuts, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese and sugarless gum or
candy. |
| When you eat fermentable carbohydrates, such as crackers,
cookies and chips, eat them as part of your meal, instead of by
themselves. Combinations of foods neutralize acids in the mouth
and inhibit tooth decay. For example, enjoy cheese with your
crackers. Your snack will be just as satisfying and better for
your dental health. |
| One caution: malnutrition, (bad nutrition) can result from too
much nourishment as easily as too little. Each time you eat, you
create an environment for oral bacteria to develop.
Additionally, studies are showing that dental disease is just as
related to overeating as heart disease, obesity. diabetes and
hypertension. So making a habit of eating too much of just about
anything, too frequently, should be avoided. |
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