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Your
Diet And Your Teeth
Article by sonicare.com
Most of the things that we do to stay healthy work for
us in more ways than one. For instance, many foods, like fruits and vegetables
that supply the vitamins and minerals to the entire body are also good
for teeth and gums. However, there are ways that what and how we eat can
hurt our oral health and there is more to it than just staying away from
candy. So it pays to be aware of how our diet affects our oral health.
Sugars
and Starches
Nearly all foods contain sugars and starches. This doesn't mean that they
are always bad for you—or your dental health—but merely that
they are best eaten as part of a meal rather than by themselves. Eaten
in balance with vegetables, grains, fruit, dairy and protein means that
there are mechanism ready to remove the plaque that these types of foods
create in your mouth. Balanced meals have numerous benefits because fat
speeds up the removal of food from the mouth and protein acts as a buffer
to oral bacteria. And remember, most processed foods, like chips and crackers,
are high in starch and are best to eat only in moderation anyway.
Not
What, But How Often
Many people have begun embracing diets that recommend eating 4-5 small
meals a day. While this may work well metabolically, it can have a negative
impact on oral health. Each time you eat, your mouth has to deal with
the aftermath. Frequent snacking makes it hard for your mouth to rid itself
of all the plaque-creating acids.
If you do eat more frequently, don't nibble over the course
of a long time. And choose foods that are known to speed up saliva flow,
such as crunchy foods, like carrots. The saliva is what clears your mouth
of much of the plaque-generating sugars and starch. Also, follow up meals
with a glass of water. And of course, brushing afterwards is always a
good idea.
Drinking
Problems
Not only do iced tea and soda contain sugar, which is bad for your teeth,
they also harm the enamel that protects your teeth. So frequent consumption
of these types of drinks has an impact, and drinking them slowly makes
it worse. If you do indulge, drink more quickly and use a straw to limit
contact with your teeth.
Take
Your Vitamins
While getting our nutrition from what is naturally present in the food
we eat is best, taking supplements can help if you aren't sure you always
eat right. Our teeth especially need calcium, vitamins D and C and folic
acid.
Sensitive
Teeth
If hot or cold foods cause tooth pain, you may have a problem with dental
sensitivity. Dental sensitivity typically comes from exposed dentin, which
is the layer below enamel and root covering on our teeth. Dental sensitivity
can be an indication of poor brushing technique or the presence of gum
disease, usually at an early stage. It also comes from grinding or clenching,
often done unconsciously when asleep. There are treatments for many of
the causes of dental sensitivity, so see your dentist.
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