The Role of a Healthy Diet in Preventing Cavities and Gum Disease
Every system in our body works together to help us function daily; you can’t isolate one because each one of the 12 systems is interconnected. Sometimes, we suffer certain ailments that are actually indicators of an underlying sickness. This also means that we have to be mindful of what we consume because it affects many things—most especially our oral health, which is often taken for granted. Apart from a meticulous oral routine, a good diet also helps keep oral issues at bay, which is what we will be discussing in today’s article.
How our diet and habits impact our oral health.
Our dietary choices play a significant role in our oral well-being. If you get yourself regularly checked by Toorak Dentists or your local dentist, then you must have heard one too many times how to encourage you to lessen, if not avoid, certain foods and drinks such as the following:
Sugary foods and beverages. One of the drawbacks of having a sweet tooth is that you must limit your sugar intake no matter how much you crave or want it. This generally applies to all since too much sugar harms oral health. For one, bacteria thrive on sugar, and these same bacteria produce acid that erodes the teeth’s protective enamel. With the enamel gone, cavity buildup and tooth decay soon follow; what’s scary about this is that this all happens without your knowing. Soon enough, you’ll be hit with sensitivity and severe toothache, warranting a quick visit to emergency dentist for a checkup.
For some, their good genes blessed them with strong and healthy teeth, but that doesn’t always translate to healthier gums. Plaque buildup also causes gum disease, which starts as inflammation before hardening and becoming tartar. If left unchecked, it could worsen and lead to various gum diseases like gingivitis or worse—periodontitis.
Monitoring sugar intake is also why pediatric dentists pay extra attention to children: they’re known to be frequent sugar snackers, from candies to chocolates to sodas. Since they’re still growing, little ones are susceptible to a variety of dental problems.
Spicy foods. Compared to sugar, spicy foods are not harmful, but what they can cause is discomfort for people with sensitive teeth. If your tooth’s protective enamel is starting to erode, then you’re more prone to sensitivity, which can be heightened if you eat spicy food. For some, they experience stinging pain because of their receding gums. Moreover, spicy foods are pretty acidic, which can cause acid reflux.
Starchy foods. If there’s one lesser-known food that can affect our oral health, it would be starchy foods. It’s hard to believe how bread and pasta can actually harm our teeth, but they do! Your saliva breaks down starchy food, turning it into sugar, which bacteria feed on and produce acid that attacks your tooth enamel. What’s more, starchy food is also sticky, which can pose a problem if it attaches itself to the hard-to-reach crevices inside your mouth. Not only does this create an ideal place for bacterial production, but it can also stimulate tartar buildup. To avoid this, dentists suggest consistent brushing and flossing, and since there’s only so much we can do, dentists encourage us to religiously attend our dental appointments so they can perform thorough cleaning.
Food and drinks that stain. Yellowing teeth is another problem many of us face. After all, your smile is an asset; just take a look around and see celebrities and influencers splurging thousands of dollars to maintain their pearly white teeth. But not all of us have the financial capacity to splurge on keeping our teeth white; at best, we could be mindful of what we eat and what we do.
Acidic foods and drinks. Consuming copious amounts of caffeine, soda, spicy, and sour foods has negative effects on our oral health, which is pretty ironic since these food combinations are the ones we always eat—more so with family and loved ones. Not only can these foods and drinks erode our enamel, but they can also stain our teeth, making them look yellow and duller. To avoid this from happening, it’s recommended to rinse your mouth after consumption to wash away the acid and prevent bacterial growth.
Can the food we eat cause oral problems?
Food is nourishment needed by the body, so whatever we consume affects all aspects of our well-being. Certain foods and drinks listed above—like coffee—can disrupt your sleep, which in turn affects your health in more ways than one. There is a connection between sleep apnea and oral health, wherein either of them can influence each other. Sleep apnea, a sleeping disorder characterized by repetitive paused breathing during your sleep, can lead to the development of dry mouth and teeth grinding. These oral problems not only affect your oral health but gut health as well, compromising your body’s health if left unchecked.
If food can provide nutrients that help nourish our body, then it also shows that eating unhealthy dishes can be detrimental to our health as well. This is why it’s crucial to practice mindful eating, on top of regular practice of oral healthcare and consistent dental checkups for assessment, cleaning, and prevention of potential dental problems.
Helpful tips to prevent cavity buildup and gum disease.
Don’t let the fear of cavities limit your food intake; you can still eat all of the aforementioned as long as in moderation. Aside from practising dental care, modifying your diet is another thing you can do to maintain optimal oral health. You can start adopting small changes, such as the following:
Avoid processed foods. On top of high sugar and unhealthy fats, processed foods can also trigger inflammation throughout your whole body, including your gums.
Modify your diet. The next time you crave something sweet or salty for snacks, try munching on fruits and whole grains like nuts. The former is a great source of fiber, while whole grains provide essential nutrients to keep your gums healthy.
Increase your water intake. Aside from hydration, drinking water also helps wash away bacteria and food particles from your mouth. Drinking water also combats dry mouth so you can maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet is often overlooked by many as an integral part of oral health. Combining nutrient-rich foods and good oral hygiene will go a long way in combating oral problems and maintaining the longevity of your healthy smile.