Healthy Nutrition | Healthy Teeth

Pinpointing how what you consume can directly affect your oral health

Healthy teeth and gums are essential for eating, chewing, and swallowing. Therefore the nutrients you consume, will directly affect your oral and overall health. Although many feel they are practicing perfect oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly, tooth decay and gum disease remain to be two of the most widespread diseases in the world. Drs. Hochberg & Diora promote a healthy diet and have tips on how you can properly choose foods that will in-turn positively impact your dental health.

Foods that are great for your tooth enamel are those comprised of minerals. Various acidic foods and drinks, when not consumed in moderation, may cause erosion of the enamel. Calcium and phosphorous are wonderful in aiding to replace minerals in areas they may have been lost. Calcium enriched foods that are low in sugar include yogurt, hard or aged cheese, seafood, low-fat milk, almonds, etc. Whereas some great phosphorous sources include pumpkin seeds, fish, Brazil nuts, red meat, eggs, and broth. These foods will help to strengthen your teeth and contain valuable protein.

Crunchy foods that are naturally hard usually contain high contents of water. The chewing required to eat these foods produces more saliva, which is the best way to counteract the bacteria that causes cavities. Also, the texture of these crunchy foods makes them naturally abrasive. In turn, this helps to gently scrub tooth surfaces freeing them of plaque and food debris. The best options to choose when looking for a high water content snack are celery, apples, cucumbers, and carrots.

It is also good to keep in mind the foods that can harm your dental health if not eaten with self-discipline. Beware of ‘empty calorie’ foods. These include candy, cookies, muffins, and snack foods such as potato chips. In addition to no nutritional value, these foods also contain high contents of sugar that tend to adhere to your teeth. The result is bacteria in your mouth will feed on these sugar spots, releasing acids, and then leading to eventual tooth decay. If you must enjoy a drink  with a high sugar content, try sipping on it through a straw, so that you’re not bathing your teeth in these acids and sugars directly.

 

You may reduce your risk of cavities by following the doctor’s guidance such as:

• Always remember to brush your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes.
• Limit your between-meal snacking.
• Include dairy, a variety of fruits and vegetables, and fluoride filled water to your diet.

Remembering that brushing after eating should always be your first choice, however if it is not a viable option, try at least chewing sugar-free gum or rinsing with some water.