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Nutrition and Your Teeth
It has long been known that good nutrition and a well-balanced diet is one of the best defenses for your oral health. Providing your body with the right amounts of vitamins and minerals helps your teeth and gums—as well as your immune system—stay strong and ward off infection, decay and disease.
Harmful acids and bacteria in your mouth are left behind from eating foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. These include carbonated beverages, some kinds of fruit juices, and many kinds of starch foods like pasta, bread and cereal.
Children’s Nutrition and Teeth
Good eating habits that begin in early childhood can go a long way to ensuring a lifetime of good oral health.
Children should eat foods rich in calcium and other kinds of minerals, as well as a healthy balance of the essential food groups like vegetables, fruits, dairy products, poultry and meat. Fluoride supplements may be helpful if you live in a community without fluoridated water, but consult with our office first. (Be aware that sugars are even found in some kinds of condiments, as well as fruits and even milk.)
Allowing your children to eat excessive amounts of junk food (starches and sugars)—including potato chips, cookies, crackers, soda, artificial fruit rollups and granola bars—only places them at risk for serious health problems, including obesity, osteoporosis and diabetes. The carbonation found in soda, for example, can actually erode tooth enamel. Encourage your child to use a straw when drinking soda; this will help keep at least some of the carbonated beverage away from the teeth.
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Adult Nutrition and Teeth
There’s no discounting the importance of continuing a healthy balanced diet throughout your adult life.
FAQs About Nutrition and Oral Health
Good nutrition isn’t only good for your body—it also affects your oral health. Your dentist must have told you certain foods can damage your teeth and gums. Dr. Douglas Hoppe in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, insists the same because diet and oral health are inseparable.
How does diet affect my oral health?
Nutrition is vital in maintaining good oral health. The foods and beverages you consume can impact your teeth and gums in several ways.
Some include:
• Calcium and phosphorus: These minerals are essential for developing and maintaining strong teeth
• Fluoride: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that you can get from tap water and certain foods. Fluoride strengthens the enamel to prevent tooth decay
• Water: Keeping your mouth hydrated increases saliva production, which washes away food debris and prevents mouth dryness
• Sugary and acidic foods: Sugary and acidic foods and beverages can cause tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars—secreting acid as a byproduct—which can erode tooth enamel. Similarly, acidic foods can erode and weaken the enamel. Limiting the intake of sugary and acidic foods—and practicing good oral hygiene—can help prevent cavities
What dental-friendly foods should I consider?
If you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy, think before you eat and drink. And sometimes, it’s not what you eat, but when you eat. Follow the nutrition tips below to maintain optimal dental health.
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat dental-friendly foods, like fruits, whole grains, veggies, and lean sources of fat
• Limit the intake of sugary and acidic foods
• Consume calcium-rich foods like dairy products and fortified plant-based milks
Does snacking affect my dental health?
For optimal dental health, you should limit the frequency of snacking between meals. And if you must snack, consider healthy snacks like yogurt, fruits, nuts, or a piece of cheese. Snacks like chocolates contain sugars, likely to remain on your teeth, attracting harmful bacteria.
Are there foods that naturally clean teeth?
Crunchy, fiber-rich foods like apples, carrots, and celery can help stimulate saliva production and naturally clean teeth. Chewing on these foods can also help dislodge plaque and debris. Besides proper oral hygiene, this is your next best natural way to keep your mouth healthy.
How does limited water intake affect oral health?
Dehydration can contribute to dry mouth, reducing saliva production. Saliva is essential for neutralizing acids, washing away food particles, and preventing tooth decay. Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining a healthy mouth.
How do sugar substitutes affect your teeth?
Also known as artificial or non-nutritive sweeteners, sugar substitutes are used as alternatives to sugar to provide sweetness to food and beverages without the added calories. Artificial sweeteners can help reduce the risk of cavities, which is good news for patients prone to tooth decay or those looking to manage their sugar intake for overall health.
But it’s not all rosy with artificial sweeteners. Whereas the sweetener itself won’t affect your enamel, these substances contain acids that can erode it. Ultimately, you should reduce the intake of artificial sweeteners just like you’d do for sugar.
Want to learn more about optimizing your oral health with good nutrition? Dial (517) 667-7066 to talk to the team at Douglas Hoppe DDS in Eaton Rapids, MI.
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Douglas Hoppe, DDS
Dr. Douglas Hoppe is a highly skilled dentist with over 18 years of experience providing personalized dental care. A valedictorian from Swan Valley High School, he earned his Bachelor’s in Chemistry from Michigan State University before completing his dental training at the University of Michigan. Dr. Hoppe is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and Michigan Dental Association. Committed to ongoing education, he trained at the Pankey Institute and is actively involved in local dental study clubs and the Eaton Rapids Rotary Club. Dr. Hoppe is known for his compassionate approach, ensuring optimal oral health for his patients.
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