Nutrition and dental health

What we eat plays an important role in keeping our teeth heathy. The food we choose and how often we eat them, the drinks we prefer can have a big impact on our teeth.

You can say that you have a proper nutrition when your body get all the nutrients needed for good oral and general health. If your diet is low in nutrients your body needs, your teeth and gums may be affected. A poor nutrition may contribute to gum disease, the principal cause in tooth loss. For children, a well-balanced diet, combined with a good oral health (brush twice a day, floss, rinse with mouthwash) will help them develop strong teeth, with no dental cavities or less dental cavities.

Sticky or sugary food particles help the bacteria in our mouth to produce acids, leading to tooth decay.

Teeth require proper nutrition to regenerate and maintain healthy levels of enamel and dentin. If you are consuming enough vitamins and minerals, your teeth will naturally regenerate, staying strong and healthy.

In order to have strong teeth, you should choose food that is rich in the following vitamins: A, D, K2, E.

Sources for these vitamins:

• Vitamin A in: milk, eggs, beef liver, fish.
• Vitamin B in: mushrooms, dairy products, fish.
• Vitamin K2 in: eggs, butter, liver, salami, cheese.
• Vitamin E in: broccoli, spinach and nuts.

It is recommended to eat a balanced diet and to limit your snacks between meals. If you love snacks, choose healthy snacks, such as fruits, vegetables or cheese.

What should we eat in order to have healthy teeth?

• Cheese, yoghurt or milk. Dairy products reduce the acid in our mouth. Eating cheese rise the PH in the mouth and lower the risk of tooth decay. The chewing of cheese increases saliva in the mouth. It contains calcium and protein, which strengthen tooth enamel. The probiotics found in yoghurt are good for your gums because the good bacteria crowd out bacteria that causes cavities.
• Apples are high in fiber and water. The action of chewing an apple produces saliva in your mouth, that rinses away bacteria and food particles. The fruit texture also stimulates the gums.
• Carrots and celery. Carrots are also rich in fiber. Carrots consumption increase the saliva in our mouth, which reduces the risk of cavities. Celery has the same benefits as apples and carrots. It acts a bit like a toothbrush.
• Almonds are a great source of protein and calcium and will strengthen your tooth enamel.

Regarding drinks, you should avoid drinking too many sugary sodas. Acids found in carbonated soft drinks  harm the teeth even more than sugar does.

As a conclusion, a well-balanced diet plays an important role in our oral and general health. A proper nutrition makes a big difference when it comes to a healthy and beautiful smile. In case you need further information regarding what you should eat in order to have a perfect smile, call today Dr. Arhiri. We are here to help.

References:

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/diet-and-dental-health
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/nutrition-and-oral-health
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/nutrition-and-oral-health/healthy-foods-list-seven-best-foods-for-your-teeth-0214
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/oral-health/six-foods-to-improve-your-dental-health/view-all/
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20687551,00.html#chewy-candy-0