Diet and Dental Health

* How does the food you eat cause tooth decay?
* How to choose foods wisely?
* What are tips for better dental health?

How does the food you eat cause tooth decay?


When you eat, food passes through your mouth. Here it meets the germs, or bacteria, that live in your mouth. You may have heard your dentist talk about plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria.
These bacteria love sugars and starches found in many foods. When you don't clean your teeth after eating, plaque bacteria use the sugar and starch to produce acids that can destroy the hard surface of the tooth, called enamel. After a while, tooth decay occurs. The more often you eat and the longer foods are in your mouth, the more damage occurs.


How do I choose foods wisely?

Some foods that you would least expect contain sugars or starches. Some examples are fruits, milk, bread, cereals and even vegetables.

The key to choosing foods wisely is not to avoid these foods, but to think before you eat. Not only what you eat but when you eat makes a big difference in your dental health. Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. If you are on a special diet, keep your physician's advice in mind when choosing foods. For good dental health, keep these tips in mind when choosing your meals and snacks.


What are tips for better dental health?

" To get a balanced diet, eat a variety of foods. Choose foods from each of the five
major food groups:

1. breads, cereals and other grain products
2. fruits
3. vegetables
4. meat, poultry and fish
5. milk, cheese and yogurt

" Limit the number of snacks that you eat. Each time you eat food that contains sugars or starches, the teeth are attacked by acids for 20 minutes or more.

" If you do snack, choose nutritious foods, such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, or a piece of fruit.

" Foods that are eaten as part of a meal cause less harm. More saliva is released during a meal, which helps wash foods from the mouth and helps lessen the effects of acids.

" Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

" Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners.

" Visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist can help prevent problems from occurring and catch those that do occur while they are easy to treat.


Nutrition

A balanced and nutritious diet is good for your general health and your dental health. Without the right nutrients, your teeth and gums can become more susceptible to decay and gum disease. Sugar is one of the main causes of dental problems.

Here are a few ways to cut down & avoid harming your teeth:

" Try to choose sugar-free snacks - Some great-tasting snacks that won't harm your teeth are plain milk and buttermilk, fruit, raw vegetables, nuts, plain yogurt, hard boiled or devilled eggs, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, cheese and cottage cheese, melba toast, juice, salads

" Add less sugar to coffee or tea - (or use sugar substitutes). Avoid sugar-sweetened soft drinks. Look for fruit juices and drinks with no added sugar.

" Read lists of ingredients - when you're grocery shopping. Honey, molasses, liquid invert sugar, glucose, and fructose are all types of sugar.

" Avoid sticky sweets - they cling to teeth and are harder to brush away.

" Eat sweets with a meal - not as a snack. The increased flow of saliva during a meal helps to wash away and dilute sugar.

" Carry a travel-size toothbrush - and use it after eating sweets. If you can't brush, at least rinse your mouth with water or eat a fibrous fruit or raw vegetables. Or chew a piece of sugarless gum.