The Impact Of Your Diet On Oral Health 

The food you choose can have a significant impact on your oral health. Bad oral health can affect your overall health, so choosing the right foods is crucial. Although everyone loves sugary foods, they can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Maintaining a healthy smile has a lot to do with what you eat and frequently visiting the dentist. You may think that good oral hygiene is enough to combat unhealthy foods, but there are still spots you may miss which could lead to dental issues. Most people don’t realize your diet’s impact on oral health; below are some ways to maintain a balanced diet and keep your smile healthy. 

Oral Health And Overall Health

Today, people live faster lifestyles; they consume fast food, large amounts of sugar, fad diets, and trendy supplements. These poor diets can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Eating foods that are high in sugar can produce more acid, which weakens and erodes the tooth’s enamel. 

This lack of nutrition is detrimental not only to your oral health but your overall health as well. Lack of proper nutrition can lead to hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and cancers. 

Home Care And Prevention 

• Eat sweet food around the same time as your meal to increase saliva flow which can wash away the sugar.
• Look at the ingredient contents. If sugar is labeled first, the product has a very high content.
• Look for alternative sugars such as corn syrup, dextrose, honey, maple syrup, molasses, glucose, fructose, and sucrose.
• Many liquid medicines contain syrup; try asking for one that is sugar-free.
• Drink plenty of water, especially between meals.
• Avoid fried food.
• Limit your salt intake.
• Maintain your oral hygiene, brush consistently twice a day, floss, and schedule regular visits to the dentist.

Foods That Are Best For Your Gum Health And Teeth

Fruit and veggies are some of the best foods for healthy teeth; they have a high nutritional value and teeth-cleaning benefits. Foods rich in calcium can promote strong bones and teeth; try sticking to foods like yogurt, cheese, canned salmon, low-fat or fat-free milk, almonds, tofu., and leafy greens. Crunchy foods also benefit your oral health; these foods move around your saliva and wash away bacteria and particles that cause plaque buildup. Here are a variety of foods that are low in sugar and high in nutrition: 

• Plain yogurt 
• Hard Cheese
• Hard Boiled Eggs 
• Apples and pears
• Mangos 
• Raw vegetables 
• Hummus 
• Meat and fatty fish 
• Nuts
• Leafy greens

Foods That Are Bad For Oral Health 

Canadians eat about 40 kilograms a year of sugar on average. This is one of the leading causes of oral health issues. Ensuring you are selecting the right foods is essential. When consuming the following, practice moderation. 

• Sugary snacks such as candy, cookies, gum, cakes, and other treats contain cavity-causing sugars.
• Chewy, sticky foods can stick to teeth; avoid raisins, jellybeans, granola bars, and caramel. 
• Carbonated or soft drinks contain high amounts of sugar. Regular and diet pop can wear away at the tooth’s enamel. 
• Fruit drinks tend to be higher in sugar, which is detrimental to your enamel. 
• Acidic foods or beverages can cause dental erosion; avoid lemons, pickles, wine, and salad dressings. 

When maintaining a healthy smile, balance is key. Try practicing moderation when it comes to damaging food. Sugars can break down the enamel in your teeth which can lead to tooth decay. Ensure that you maintain good oral health habits and regularly visit the dentist. Regehr Family Dental offers dental cleanings and check-ups; visit our website to learn more.