Diet and Dental Health
What you eat plays an important part in your dental health. Eating sugary, starchy foods, in abundance, can cause gum disease and/or tooth decay.
Foods with a high sugar content interact with the bacteria already in your mouth to wear down the enamel, or hard part of your teeth, to cause cavities. The bacteria in your mouth live in plaque, or the sticky substance that clings to the teeth.
The culprits? Soda, sweetened coffee, muffins, sticky foods like candy, and other traditionally high-sugar foods contribute to cavities and poor dental health. However, many people might not know that seemingly healthy foods such as citrus fruits, breads, and certain cereals can also contribute to tooth decay.
In moderation, these foods are not a threat to dental health, but according to a National Institute of Health report, the average American eats about 147 pounds (67 kilograms) of sugar per year. Put another way, many Americans eat their body weight in sugar every year!
To combat the risk of tooth decay and gum disease brought on by a poor diet, it is recommended to incorporate the below dietary changes.
Get your calcium. Low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt, are the ones you've heard of, but significant amounts of calcium can be found in black beans, spinach, kale, almonds, and even oysters.
Cut your intake of processed foods. Frozen fish sticks, pizza, chips, canned foods with a high sodium content, meals out of a box, and others are all processed foods. Food is considered processed when it has been changed from its natural state for transportation, prolonged preservation, or for safety reasons. Foods processed in this manner often have added sugars, which contributes to tooth decay.
Grab a stick of sugarless gum. Certain types of sugarless gum contain natural sweeteners that help fight tooth decay. If you can't brush after a meal, chewing sugarless gum will help promote saliva production, which helps rinse the mouth of food particles.
Brush and floss twice a day, especially after meals. Bacteria thrive on food deposits between teeth.
Drink water regularly. Water helps clean out food particles left by meals and mid-day snacks.
The dietary changes listed above can help you fight tooth decay and gum disease. However, it is also important to see your dentist at least once every six months for regular dental cleanings and maintenance.
To make an appointment with Dr. Madison, please call (310)553-2940.
If you have any other questions or comments regarding this article, please contact us at (310) 553-2940 or by email at periodontics@earthlink.net.
Please visit www.beverlyhillsperio.com for more information.
Dr. Miles Madison, D.D.S., is an award-winning periodontist in Beverly Hills, California.
