Our bodies are like complex machines which require us to choose the right foods as fuel. How often we fuel up our bodies can significantly affect your general health as well as the health of your gums and teeth. According to the ADA, many dentists are concerned that their patients are consuming a record number of sugar-filled sweetened fruit drinks, sodas, and non-nutritious snacks that affect their teeth. These types of foods and drinks typically have little, if any, nutritional value.
Choose Your Foods Wisely
When you eat, food passes through your mouth and meets the germs, or bacteria, that live in your mouth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria in your mouth that thrive on sugars that are found in many foods. When you do not properly clean your teeth after eating, bacteria use the sugar to produce acids that can destroy tooth enamel.
The key is to choose foods that contain less sugar. What you eat does significantly impact your health, but also when you eat can make a big impact on your dental health. Eat a well-balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. To get a well-balanced diet we encourage everyone to eat a variety of foods and choose foods from each of the five major groups:
• Bread, cereals and other grain products
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Milk, cheese, and yogurt
Children And Nutrition
Good eating habits start in early childhood and can go a long way to ensure a lifetime of good oral health. Parents should encourage their children to eat food that is rich in calcium and other minerals, as well as maintaining a healthy balance of the essential food groups.
Contact Us
Providing your body with the right amounts of vitamins and minerals helps your teeth and gums, as well as your general health, to ward off decay, disease, and infection. For more information on how proper nutrition and a well-balanced diet can help your smile sparkle for longer, contact our office today at (480) 448-0770.
