We live in a superficial world that constantly bombards us with the importance of physical appearance, making us self-conscious. Even social media isn't helping the situation as it's all over your feed, and you're being told that something is always wrong.
If you are diligent, then you might have noticed how over the years there has been a slow rise in content about people getting their dental formula fixed all for the sake of having a nice smile. With the increasing pressure of taking a more sustainable approach, it raises this very question: why is nutrition essential to dental health?
Flossing and brushing daily are the key measures most people take to maintain healthy oral hygiene. However, there is more, and the phrase, "you are what you eat," best suits this context. The conversation might transcend the dangers of eating sugar to your health, although there is more, and this article unravels the role of nutrition on dental health. Additionally, it is crucial to visit your dentist regularly to ensure overall dental health is maintained. So, shall we?
Top 5 Tips About the Role of Nutrition on Dental Health
If you thought we would start by telling you to spend a dime on supplements, you are wrong. We are going to keep these recommendations as financially considerate as possible. We want to avoid burdening you financially, especially since you have more dire expenses like medical insurance, the need to pay for essay writing, and traveling expenses, to mention a few.
So, what is the importance of food for healthy teeth? These nutritional recommendations answer your question and shed more light on the sustainable measures you should adopt to aid your oral health and the risks you impose on yourself for neglecting your oral health.
1. Hydration
To kick us off is the simplest link in the chain, the health benefits of drinking plenty of water to oral health. Water rinses out healthy and unhealthy bacteria and food particles from the mouth and teeth, which promotes oral hygiene. Additionally, it helps reduce the acids in the mouth.
Moreover, being well-hydrated supports saliva production, which is crucial in food digestion. It protects the mouth and teeth, preventing the harmful effects of acids which risk corroding teeth enamel.
2. Minerals
On the point of tooth strength, it is essential to start with the basic things such as phosphorus, calcium and Vitamin D because these are mega contributors in ensuring that your enamel becomes stronger preventing decays and much more. Calcium, works in synergy with phosphorus and vitamin D to help promote tooth strength and even prevent gum disease. Phosphorus is found in nuts, legumes and lean meats. Introduce them to your meals and reap their many benefits!
3. Crunchy Foods
Teeth are no different from machines that require regular servicing. Besides daily cleaning and flossing, dietary practices like nibbling and munching on crunchy vegetables and fruits are fundamental in the "servicing."
They are also good to chew, as the crunchiness helps service your teeth naturally, which in turn cleans food bits and plaque off their teeth, making them a major player in the fight for a cavity-free mouth. All those antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins help your teeth naturally stay healthy. They are also important in prohibiting bacteria from multiplying within your mouth and lead to terrible infection such as gum disease & tooth decay.
4. Sugary Foods and Acidic Drinks
The correlation between sugar and tooth decay is among the most cliché messages. Conversely, it is an oxymoron that MedialNews Today ranks tooth decay and cavities among the most common dental problems. The CDC reports that 9 out of 10 adults and children get cavities in their teeth, attributing some of the blame to sweets and acidic beverages.
When we eat sugary foods, the glucose they contain interacts with the bacteria in our mouth and produces acids that will ruin our tooth enamel. It also leaves teeth in an acidic state that causes them to become weaker and prone to decay.
Both the pH and biting force can be significantly impacted by acidic drinks, resulting in enamel erosion subsequently that can result in decaying of teeth for an increased void or making teeth sensitive for over time.
Drink extra water when you consume foods with high sugar content. Additionally, brush your teeth twice, especially when you consume acidic drinks and foods with high sugar content.
While you might be careful to cut down on sugar consumption, it is imperative to watch the quantities of sugar in the foods you consume. Replace processed foods with whole foods that are easier to break down and have lower sugar.
Another measure you need to adopt is being cautious about the sugar levels in foods before buying and consuming them. This measure calls for you to carefully go through labels when grocery shopping for products such as:
- Bread
- Cookies
- Cakes
- Pasta
- Sweets
- Sodas and juices
- Sweeteners like maple syrup
If possible, consider supplementing them with healthier options with lower sugar content.
5. Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption
We know it`s a fact that tobacco another source of dental horror - will make this number even higher, and no doubt related to the alcohol intake in many cases. Since cigarettes including 4000 and more toxins in them, they contain hazardous chemicals which if you open it are painful for your mouth.
And, smoking interferes with blood flow in the mouth making your gums more susceptible to poor outcomes. From existing statics cigarette smoking is one of the reasons for this host oral health problems:
- Gum diseases
- Tooth decay
- Discolored teeth
- Mouth cancer
Excessive alcohol consumption sets precedence for oral health concerns like gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth cancer, to mention a few. The science behind the effect is alcohol is highly acidic, which erodes the enamel. Consequently, alcoholic drinks are sweetened with sugar, artificial flavors, and colors, which make gums susceptible to damage.
Alcohol consumption also interferes with saliva production. The decreased production of saliva impedes the buffering effect that saliva provides to teeth, exposing them to the acids in the mouth, resulting in an eroded enamel.
In Conclusion
As mentioned, nutrition takes center stage in oral health; hence, eating nutrient-dense foods, drinking enough water, reducing sugar and alcohol consumption, and avoiding tobacco amount to caring for your oral health. Remember, oral health directly impacts your confidence, and nutrition provides more sustainable measures to foster a bright and healthy smile.