The Role Nutrition Plays in Maintaining Healthy Teeth

Every morning we go through the same routine of getting up and brushing our
teeth, something we’ve been taught to do ever since our first teeth came in as
children. What you probably don’t think about on a daily basis is how the food you
are putting in your mouth is affecting your teeth. It’s no secret that your diet is
directly correlated with your overall health, but the right diet and nutrition also
play an integral part in ensuring strong teeth and healthy gums. Every day your
teeth, tongue and gums come into direct contact with the foods you ingest, and if
you make poor dietary choices, the results will eventually show on your teeth. Just
as proper nutrition plays a supportive role in maintaining a healthy weight, it also
helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral maladies.

So how can you adjust your diet to maintain healthy teeth and a beautiful smile?
Here are some tips

1. Stay Away From Sugar
We’ve been hearing this adage since we were admonished as little kids
for eating too much candy on Halloween. But it turns out our parents (and
dentist!) were right. The bacteria in your mouth convert the sugar to acid,
dissolving the enamel on your teeth. The erosion of the enamel from the acid
can lead to a tiny hole, known as a cavity. Cavities, left untreated long enough,
can reach the nerve of the tooth, requiring a root canal. Stay away from
candy and even sugary drinks like soda and juice that can really damage your
teeth.

2. Eat Your Veggies
Eating lots of vegetables is not only good for your overall health because they
contain essential vitamins and nutrients the body needs, it’s also good for
your oral health. Watery veggies and roughage help to naturally and gently
scrub and away lingering food particles and bacteria.

3. Calcium = Strong Teeth
Did you know that your bones and teeth contain over 99% of the calcium in
the human body? Higher levels of calcium consumption result in stronger
teeth, thus resulting in fewer breaks, cracks and physical damage. Calcium
also helps make the jaw stronger to hold our teeth more firmly in place,
which is important as we age. Time to replace that soda with a glass of milk
at your next meal!

4. Reduce Carbohydrate Consumption
Eliminating carbs is a big diet fad when it comes to losing weight, but cutting
down on carbohydrate consumption can also greatly affect the health of your
teeth and gums. Each time you eat a carbohydrate-containing food, such as
bread, pasta, or cake, the carbs turn into sugar, which turn into plaque on
your teeth, resulting in everything from cavities to gum disease. Your saliva
production increases at meal time, so if you isolate your carb consumption to
times when you’re eating large meals, as opposed to a snack, your saliva will
aid in the dissolution of sticky, sugary particles from the carbohydrates.

Nutrition plays a role in maintaining healthy teeth on so many levels. Sugary and
acidic foods can damage enamel and leave plaque; hard foods increase the risk
of cracks; chewy substances are dangerous for fillings and loose teeth. The more
nutrient rich and natural your diet, the healthier your teeth—and your entire
body—will be!