Your body is a complex machine. The foods you choose to eat can affect your overall health, as well as the health of your teeth and gums. If you have consumed too many fizzy and sugary drinks, sweetened fruit drinks, or non-nutritive snacks, you are at risk of developing tooth decay.
Bacteria, in combination with food, produce tooth decay. A clear, sticky film called plaque, which contains bacteria, forms on teeth and gums. These bacteria, in the presence of sugar from food, produce acids. The acids attack the tooth within the first 20 minutes (perhaps even longer) after a meal. After a period of time, these acids destroy the tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay.
Foods containing sugars of any kind can contribute to dental cavities. To control the amount of sugar you consume, check the ingredients listed on food and drink labels and choose products with the lowest sugar content. Common dietary sugar sources include fizzy drinks, sweets, cakes, and pastries.
A nutritionist or dietitian can also offer you suggestions for eating nutrient-rich foods. If your diet is lacking in certain nutrients, the tissues in your mouth may find it harder to resist infection. This can contribute to the development of gum disease. Gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Many researchers believe that the disease progresses more quickly and has a higher potential for manifestation in people with poor nutrition.
For a healthy life and healthy teeth and gums, it is important what you eat and what you drink. Follow a balanced diet and limit snacks and nibbles between meals. If you are on a special diet, follow your doctor's advice when choosing the foods you consume.
For good dental health, remember these tips when making choices for meals and snacks:
- The water is very cold.
- Eat a variety of foods from each of the five major food groups: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein sources such as lean beef, poultry, and fish; dry beans, peas, and other vegetables, low-fat dairy foods.
- Limit the number of snacks you eat. If you feel the need for a snack, choose something healthy, such as fruit or vegetables or a piece of cheese.
- Foods consumed as part of a meal cause fewer adverse effects to teeth than if you were to snack constantly throughout the day, because more saliva is released during a meal. Saliva helps to digest food in the mouth and reduces the effects of acids, which can damage teeth and cause tooth decay.
- Avoid consuming foods that contain a lot of sugar, especially sticky and sweet ones.
- Don't eat before bed. Food left on teeth overnight is a cause of tooth decay. Saliva production decreases during the night and doesn't clean the mouth during sleep.
Healthy nutrition is essential for both children, who have developing teeth, and adults, to maintain gum health and prevent cavities.
For good dental health, always remember to brush your teeth twice a day with toothpaste recommended by your dentist, use dental floss daily, and attend regular dental appointments. With regular dental care, your dentist can help you prevent oral problems and address existing ones early on, when they are easier to treat.
Bibliography
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/diet-and-dental-health
http://www.sfatulmedicului.ro/Caria-dentara/caria-dentara_397