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. While no links
have been actually made between gum disease and a poor diet, nutrition problems
(including obesity and overeating) can create conditions that make gum disease easier
to contract.
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, even artificial fruit rollups and granola
bars-only places them at risk for serious oral health problems down the road, 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.
Adult Nutrition and Teeth
There's no discounting the importance of continuing a healthy balanced diet throughout
your adult life.
If you develop a weight problem, change your diet and get regular exercise. Be aware
that some so-called fad diets have been known to cause serious deficiencies in recommended
levels of minerals and vitamins.
Of course, good oral hygiene helps ensure that harmful bacteria and plaque-the sticky
substance that coats your teeth during sleep and after meals-are effectively minimized.
Adults also are encouraged to avoid eating "sticky" foods such as caramels and dried
fruits because they leave behind stubborn substances on teeth and only encourage
needless plaque formation.