While most understand the importance of a healthy diet, not everyone realizes how nutrition impacts oral health as well. Dental professionals pay close attention to how a patient’s eating habits affect the health of their teeth and surrounding structures.
From the types of food to how often you eat, your dietary decisions can either protect your oral health or result in rapidly developing decay or infection.
How a Nutritious Diet Aids the Smile
Your smile, just like your body, requires nutrients to maintain good health. For those who make unhealthy food choices, symptoms may rapidly progress and fighting off infection becomes more difficult. This may severely impact your oral health.
Even nutrient-rich foods contain some amount of natural sugar but in acceptable levels. It is the food with an abundance of added sugar that wreaks the most havoc on your teeth and gums. Sugary foods and drinks such as candy, cookies, and sodas are prime examples of this. The excess sugar fuels the bacteria and creates acids that cause decay.
Limiting the opportunity for these acids to wear down your enamel is the most effective path to protecting your oral health.
Find Healthier Snacking Options
Indulging in sweet snacks on special occasions isn’t an issue for those with proper diet and oral health care habits. For those who snack throughout the day, you can avoid dental complications by choosing healthier options such as cheese, raw vegetables, fruit, and foods with whole grains.
Another beneficial recommendation is choosing water instead of sodas and lattes. These healthy options contribute to a well-balanced diet and won’t jeopardize your teeth and surrounding structures.
Develop Consistent Eating Habits
Consistently eating three nutritional meals a day is most beneficial to your oral health and overall well-being. Sugary foods tend to break down in the mouth rather than further in the digestion process, so continual consumption will expose your teeth to harmful particles. The longer these sugars stay present in your mouth, the more cavity-causing acid is produced.
An effective way to prevent this issue is to finish the food or beverage in one sitting, rather than to snack or sip intermittently throughout the day. Doing this limits the acidic exposure to your teeth, especially when brushing or rinsing with water afterward.
Schedule an Appointment in San Jose Today!
At Sedation Dentistry of San Jose, Dr. Tom H. Clark and our dedicated team of professionals feel that a well-informed patient is empowered to protect their oral health in San Jose, Alamitos, Edenvale, or Evergreen. For a calming and informative dental experience, contact us today to schedule an appointment.