How Does Diet Affect Oral Health?

Overall it is not uncommon to realize that the body is a very complex and intricate system. All of the different aspects of the body and how everything connects can be overwhelming. It takes people in medical school studying the body years, sometimes, to only understand a handful of the systems.

It is no wonder that the food and beverages that we put in our body can affect us in different ways. Drinking alcohol, for instance, can make someone intoxicated and feel emotions at much higher levels. And when eating certain foods, they may not agree with the stomach and either cause gas or bloating. When it comes to the food and beverages that we consume, they can greatly affect oral health just as much!

Today we will give a brief overview of how a person's diet affects their oral health and discuss good things to incorporate to ensure that the best overall oral health for many years to come.

What parts of a diet can affect oral health?

Everyone has heard that it is important to avoid sugary foods and drinks to help with oral health. However, most may not understand the reason behind this.

When consuming sugary foods and drinks, the sugar clings onto the teeth. Even with drinks, the residue is still present after the drink or soda is long gone. If someone does not have the best oral hygiene routine, or simply consumes a large amount of sugar, it can be detrimental to their oral health.

When these sugars are present, it makes a breeding ground for bacteria that quickly leads to the growth of plaque and tooth decay. Before long, a cavity can set in and require a filling. However, by reducing the number of sugary foods and drinks, as well as drinking more water throughout the day that will wash these particles and residue away, it can be much easier to handle.

Making wise choices is the best thing to do

Making wise choices regarding the food and drinks that someone consumes on a day to day basis is vital. By choosing better foods, it can greatly impact how well a person's teeth continue to be in between their bi-yearly cleanings. A few good choices to make regarding food include:

• Drinking a good amount of water each day, especially after eating or drinking something with sugar.
• Eating foods that are from the five primary food groups that everyone should consume each day including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean sources of protein (beef, chicken, fish), and dairy.
• Limiting the number of snack foods that someone consumes throughout the day.

Is a good diet enough?

Of course, a good diet is not enough to ensure perfect teeth and no cavities. Sadly, sometimes even with the best measures in place, there is always a chance of tooth decay forming in extremely tough to reach areas. Along with a good diet, keeping a good oral hygiene regimen daily is also just as important.

What is a good oral hygiene regimen?

Although it is very simple, a lot of people will skip it here and there and create a bad habit of not doing it enough.

A good oral health routine includes brushing the teeth for at least two minutes twice per day (in the morning and evening before bed). Along with flossing each day at least once to ensure that all particles are removed from between the teeth.

Do you have more questions about a good diet for your teeth and dental hygiene regimen? Contact our office today and we will be glad to answer additional questions!

Request an appointment here: https://www.emergencydentistinorlando.com or call Maitland Square Dentistry at (407) 337-1112 for an appointment in our Maitland office.