Eating a balanced diet is essential for good overall health, but the food and drinks you consume have a significant impact on your oral health as well. Making sure you eat nutritious foods is important to ward off tooth decay, cavities and other dental problems. If you’re uncertain about how your diet affects your oral health, talk to your Westmount dentist in Monkland for suggestions on the best way to incorporate foods that are good for you.
How to Make Good Nutritional Choices for Oral Health
Tooth decay happens when bacteria feed on sugars in the mouth, creating acids that attack tooth enamel. Consuming too many sugary sodas, fruit juice, sports drinks and sweet snacks contributes to tooth decay and can significantly impact your oral health. Reading food labels can help you become more conscious about what you’re eating and drinking and help you limit your sugar intake.
Sugar isn’t the only culprit when it comes to poor nutrition and oral health. If your diet lacks certain nutrients your immune system may not be strong enough to fight off bacteria in the mouth, which can lead to gum disease, infection and other issues. Making sure you get enough calcium at all stages of life is essential for strong, healthy teeth and bones. Calcium is also vital to help your body’s muscles and blood vessels function properly.
Drink plenty of water to wash away bacteria and acids in the mouth.
Eat a balanced diet that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean sources of protein and dairy. Some foods that are good for your teeth include cheese, yogurt, leafy greens, carrots, celery and apples.
Limit snacking. Believe it or not, when you eat a meal, you cause less harm to your teeth than if you snack throughout the day. More saliva is released when you eat a meal, which helps wash away food debris and bacteria. If you do snack, choose something healthy like carrot sticks, apples or a piece of cheese, and drink water after eating.
As always, one of the best ways to preserve and protect your oral health is to practice a good oral hygiene routine and to see your dentist in Monkland for regular checkups and cleanings.
