Introduction to Nutrition and Dental Health
Did you know that what you eat plays a role in your oral health? Maintaining healthy teeth starts with a well-balanced diet and proper nutrients. While brushing and flossing certainly play a huge role in oral health care, they are not the only things that matter.
Eating right can lessen your chances of developing periodontal disease and reduce your risk of developing dental caries/cavities (the most common health problems worldwide). It starts with what you put in your mouth just as much as how you care for your teeth.
What should you know about the link between oral health and a healthy diet? Here are a few must-know tips to keep your teeth in pristine condition:
Essential Nutrients for Dental Health
Tooth decay can be put on pause if you pay attention to what you put in your mouth. Most dentists consider calcium and phosphorus to be the most impactful nutrients for your oral health. Foods high in these items can improve and strengthen tooth enamel, making it less susceptible to tooth decay.
You can get other vitamins by consuming fruits and vegetables (or a good multivitamin). In particular, you want plenty of vitamins A and C. Vitamin A is essential for strengthening tooth enamel, while vitamin C plays an important role in healing the gums and promoting good gingival health.
Water and fibre should also be core components of a balanced diet, most stemming from simply drinking water or eating foods high in water content like fruits and vegetables. Consuming water throughout the day helps clean the teeth and makes them less susceptible to dental caries.
Fluoride is an essential part of good oral health and may be found directly in your drinking water. If it is not in your local water supply, consider brushing with fluoride toothpaste to get this ingredient in your diet. It plays a pivotal role in oral health and decreases the likelihood of oral diseases and decay. Keep in mind Winnipeg’s water supply does have fluoride in it.
How can you incorporate more of these foods into your diet to have healthy teeth and a beautiful smile? Eat more of these foods to combat gum and periodontal disease and promote better oral health.
Foods That Promote Dental Health and Effects of Poor Nutrition
Adding more calcium to your day is relatively easy; dairy products, from milk to cheeses to plain yogurt, are rich in calcium. Not only are these foods rich in calcium, but they might also have a high vitamin D content. This vitamin helps your body to better process and utilize the calcium you consume. Cabbage is also full of calcium.
Phosphorus can be a bit trickier to add to a diet, but protein sources tend to have a lot of it. Think eggs and meats if you want to increase your intake of phosphorus. For vegetarians and vegans, legumes and nuts are great alternatives.
As mentioned earlier, nutrition and oral health depend on your ability to consume lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. They are great for your general health, but they pack a powerful punch for your teeth as well. Many, like oranges and other citrus fruits, are high in vitamin C. They are also great for water and fibre, which clean both your teeth and gums. You do want to be careful in over consuming citrus fruits as they are also acidic with higher concentrations of sugars which may increase the likelihood of cavities and sensitivity. As with everything, moderation is key.
On the other hand, poor nutrition can lead to more problems within the oral cavity (from the lips to the throat), resulting in irritation and inflammation. Plus, poor oral hygiene has a serious effect on the rest of the body, leading to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and more. While your smile might be the first thing you think of for good nutrition, it shouldn’t be your only reason for eating a balanced diet.
The question is: How can you incorporate more nutrition into your dental health care for a more holistic approach to practicing good oral hygiene?
Practical Tips for Incorporating Nutrition into Dental Health Care
Are you ready to practice good oral hygiene but need help figuring out where to start? The good news is that there are some simple, practical tips for incorporating nutrition into your dental health care. It starts with being mindful of avoiding sugary foods and beverages (or brushing directly after eating them). However, there are other things to keep in mind:
You may want to increase your intake of fluoride in your drinking water. This means you need to stay hydrated throughout the day. It is also recommended you use fluoridated toothpaste.
You might also want to avoid alcohol if you are concerned with your oral health. While healthy eating can permit a drink on occasion, many beverages are too high in acid to be great for your teeth. These are best avoided whenever possible. Smoking and other tobacco products should also be eliminated from your daily habits.
Apart from this, it is simply important to maintain a healthy diet with an emphasis on fresh foods. Packaged and processed food choices tend to be high in ingredients that don’t do your oral health any favours. If you do eat these foods, chew sugar-free gum afterward to cleanse the teeth if you can’t brush.
Conclusion
With a little attention to your diet, you can significantly decrease your likelihood of developing gum disease and dental caries. However, it isn’t always a foolproof solution. If you need tooth-coloured fillings to repair cavities that already exist, Fresh Dental can help. While we work on repairing dental caries, we can chat about how to better maintain healthy teeth moving forward.
We can even help you with a crown or bridge to replace missing teeth and lessen your risk of future dental issues.
When you are ready to start marrying your nutrition to your oral health, contact Fresh Dental to learn more about the important link between what you eat and your smile!