National Nutrition Month: How Eating Right Supports Oral Health

Nutrition plays a significant role in oral health. By eating right, you are taking care of your teeth, gums, and mouth as a whole. Plus, by eating at the proper times, you can have a positive impact on your oral health too.

In recognition of National Nutrition Month, here is some information on how eating right can support your oral health.

Sugar Leads to Tooth Decay

Any food or beverage that contains sugar promotes tooth decay. That is why many dentists tell patients to avoid candies, sugary sodas, and similar items, as they are essentially designed to hurt the health of your teeth and gums.

But, this means that even healthy options, like fruits and many vegetables, can harm your oral health. However, you can partially counteract this by opting for foods and beverages that are low in sugar, drinking water after consuming foods or other drinks, and chewing sugarless gum. Plus, regular brushing can help keep the sugar from sticking around on your teeth and in your mouth, limiting your chances of tooth decay.

Snacking Isn’t Ideal for Oral Health

Whenever you eat, you are giving food particles a chance to get stuck between teeth. By limiting the number of snacks you consume during the day, you limit your exposure to foods that can harm your teeth and gums.

Plus, saliva production is generally reduced when you snack when compared to how much you have during an actual meal, so it isn’t as effective at washing away food particles. Often, this is because the eating period is so much shorter, so your body doesn’t have a chance to ramp up saliva production.

If you must snack, select healthy foods with low amounts of sugar. Additionally, once you are finished, drink plenty of water, allowing you to rinse away food particles or chew sugarless gum, giving you an opportunity to increase saliva production.

Foods Can Help Your Teeth

Proper nutrition is essential if you want to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy. The human body requires a variety of vitamins and minerals to maintain good oral health, and eating a balanced diet can help make sure you get everything you need. Often, this means consuming whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean sources of protein.

Nutrition plays a big role in oral health, so be mindful when selecting foods and drinks. If you aren’t sure whether you are making wise choices, talk with your Jacksonville Dental Office. They will be happy to give you tips.