Nutrition’s Impact on Dental Health: Foods for Strong Teeth & Gums
What a person eats and drinks can have a significant impact on their oral health. The food we consume supplies essential nutrients to the teeth, gums, bones, and the body as a whole. It also helps fight off infection and safeguards against disease, including oral conditions.
When we eat unhealthy foods, such as sweets, it increases our risk of developing cavities and other health problems. In fact, one study found that young children that consumed sugary foods or drinks four to five times per day were up to six times more likely to suffer from cavities than children with lower sugar intakes.
Although it’s okay to indulge on occasion, it’s important to mostly choose foods that will help maintain the health of your smile and body. Learn more about the role of nutrition in dental health and what foods promote strong teeth and gums.
Nutrition and Oral Health – What’s the Connection?
Everyone knows that brushing, flossing, and rinsing are important to good oral health. However, did you know that strong, healthy teeth and gums have been linked to a healthy, balanced diet? By ridding your diet of unhealthy foods, as well as maintaining a good oral health regimen, you can reduce your risk of developing oral disease and maintain a beautiful smile.
Sugar is a major cause of diet-related oral conditions. When we consume food and drinks that contain sugar, the natural bacterium in our mouth converts these sugars into harmful acids that eat away at tooth enamel. If a person continues to consume sugar on a regular basis, it can lead to the development of tooth decay and contribute to other oral health problems, such as gum disease.
What Foods are Best for Patients Strong Teeth and Gums?
Ready to revamp your diet? Here’s a look at some of the best foods for forming strong teeth and gums.
1. Crunchy Vegetables
If you’re not getting enough vegetables in your diet, try adding some. Crunchy, fresh vegetables do not just deliver essential nutrients into your diet, but the crunchiness can also help scrub plaque off your teeth. Broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, and similar crunchy veggies are great options.
2. Dairy Products
Certain dairy products can help strengthen your teeth by giving you a boost of calcium. Low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt are some of the best dairy products for fortifying tooth enamel, maintaining bone density, and balancing pH levels in the mouth. Yogurt is also packed with probiotics and calcium to help protect against decay and gum disease.
3. Nuts
Nuts are a tasty snack that provides oral health benefits. They are low in carbohydrates and help stimulate saliva flow during the chewing process, which can help reduce your risk of developing tooth decay. When choosing nuts, opt for products that are free of additives and high in fiber, such as almonds.
4. Fish
The omega-3 fatty acids found in many types of fish can help lower your risk of gum disease or periodontitis. In addition, the boost of vitamin D found in sources like salmon and tuna helps the body absorb calcium, which is essential for healthy teeth and gums.
5. Apples
The health benefits of apples have been praised for centuries and they continue to be one of the best foods for good oral health. Fibrous foods like apples are great for gum health as you have to spend more time chewing to properly eat these fruits. In turn, extra chewing helps stimulate the gums and increase saliva production, which helps to neutralize acids in the mouth.
Schedule an Appointment with Artistic Touch Dentistry
There are also many other foods that can help you strengthen your teeth and gums, such as leafy vegetables, shiitake mushrooms, strawberries, cinnamon, and black and green teas. Of course, you’ll want to pair your healthy diet with regular trips to your Melbourne Florida dentist. Schedule your next dental teeth cleaning today by calling Artistic Touch Dentistry at 321.724.1400.