Your oral cavity is the gateway to your health via your diet. Not only does the nutrition of your diet affect your overall health, teeth included, but its composition can also affect the amount of plaque and tartar builds up around your teeth and inflames your gums. Below are five aspects of your diet that may be slowly ruining your teeth.
The Simplest Sweets are the Greatest Poisons
Anything with sugar in it is generally considered a no-no for teeth due to their high conversion rate to plaque and the release of acid as they do so in the mouth. This acid creates a high-production environment for plaque to grow. Plaque is the sticky substance that clings to teeth and erodes the protective layer of enamel on your teeth. Once this conversion happens, and especially if regular brushing and flossing aren’t done, you can end up with cavities, gingivitis, gum disease and worse oral conditions.
What many people don’t realize is that simple carbohydrates from things like white bread, white rice, chips, pasta and crackers also break down into simple sugars that pose the same risks to your teeth. In the food pyramid, these really shouldn’t be considered grains.
A Lack of Calcium and Other Minerals
Our teeth’s inner pulp and dentin, as well as jaw bones are made up of minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium. When we aren’t getting antiquate amounts of these, our teeth aren’t as strong or able to fight off plaque or oral infections. If you’re avoiding foods high in calcium such as dairy products, soy, leafy greens, broccoli, figs, salmon, and almonds then then you’re not doing your teeth any favors. Dairy, especially cheese, also counter balance the acidic effects of oral bacteria with an alkaline pH and helps to restore weak places in tooth enamel. Many of these calcium rich foods also have the benefit of offering fiber to keep mouth structures healthy.
The Natural Teeth Scrubber
While fibers reputation usually boasts what it can do for your digestion and blood stream, there is another benefit. When you eat raw fruits and vegetables, the fiber in them can help rub the plaque off your teeth. Apples and pears are especially good at this. When you choose not to eat fibrous foods, your body also isn’t able to transport oxygen through your blood cells as easily, threatening the health of your gums.
Acidic Fruits and Foods
While fruits are good for your body, certain types shouldn’t be over indulged in for the sake of your tooth enamel. Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, and even tomatoes contain ascorbic acid. While these foods in the right amounts are good for your body, especially the immune system, eating too much of them without a buffer or proper oral hygiene can damage teeth. A couple often unrealized sources of too much acid are soda and fruit juices. Add in the amount of sugar and these drinks are bad news for your oral health.
Not Enough Water
Modern supermarkets are stuffed with a plethora of drink offerings, from acidic sodas, juices, and energy drinks, to “healthy” milks and water additives. While some of these do have health benefits (most don’t), all of these cause a catastrophe for our regular water intake. Water is so important to our bodies, mouth included. Water keeps oral bacteria and its acids low, suspends plaque and food particles from sticking to oral structures, and maintains a high saliva flow to protect teeth from tooth decay. It also keeps the oral tissues well hydrated and resistant to infections and dry mouth.
Making Dietary Changes Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
If your diet is less than ideal, don’t be discouraged or overwhelmed. Even the smallest changes can improve your health and snowball you into good habits. It can be as simple as exchanging simple carbohydrates with whole wheat options (white rice to brown rice), changing one processed snack to a piece of fruit each day, or drinking a glass of water before you go to bed. Many people notice a significant different in how they feel and how much better their teeth look just by making these little tweaks to their eating routine. With a better diet, you’re oral health will improve and stay healthy for years to come.
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