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Diet and Oral Health
Your body is like a complex machine. The foods you
choose as fuel and how often you “fill up” affect your
general health and that of your teeth and gums. Many
dentists are concerned that their patients are consuming
record numbers of sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit
drinks, and non-nutritious snacks that affect their
teeth. These items generally have little if any
nutritional value and over time they can take a toll on
teeth.
Eating patterns and food choices among children and
teens are important factors that affect how quickly
youngsters may develop tooth decay. When bacteria
(plaque) come into contact with sugar or starch in the
mouth, acid is produced, which attacks the teeth for 20
minutes or more. This can eventually result in tooth
decay.
Not sure you're getting the nutrients, vitamins and
minerals needed by your body (and your teeth and gums)?
Check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Web site.
The USDA oversees the nutritional health of the nation.
The agency's dietary recommendations are designed to
promote optimal health and to prevent obesity-related
diseases including cardiovascular disease, Type 2
diabetes and cancers.
The government's recommendations recognize that people
have different dietary needs at various stages of life.
They offer guidance for children and adults based on
their levels of physical activity. Your physician or a
registered dietician can also provide suggestions for
your daily food intake.
Foods that contain sugars and starches of any kind can
contribute to tooth decay. Almost all foods, including
milk or vegetables, have some type of sugar or starch.
However, they shouldn't be removed from our diets
because many of them contain important nutrients. And
they add pleasure to eating. To help control the amount
of sugar you consume, read food labels and choose foods
and beverages that are low in added sugars. Added sugars
often are present in soft drinks, candy, cookies and
pastries.
If
your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more
difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection.
This may contribute to periodontal (gum) disease, a
major cause of tooth loss in adults. Although poor
nutrition does not cause periodontal disease directly,
many researchers believe that the disease progresses
faster and could be more severe in people with
nutrient-poor diets.
What can you do?
Maintain a healthy diet.
Make sure water is readily available.
Limit the number of between-meal snacks. When you
must snack, choose nutritious foods that are low in
sugar.
Brush thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride
toothpaste that has the American Dental
Association's Seal of Acceptance.
Floss or use another kind of interdental cleaner
daily to remove plaque (a thin film of bacteria)
from under the gums and between teeth.
Schedule regular dental visits for checkups and
cleanings.
Keep a food diary for a week. Record every item you
eat and drink, including hard candies or chewing gum
that contains sugar. Compare the diary to the food
Pyramid recommendations.
This information was compiled for you by the American
Dental Association. Your dentist cares about long-term
dental health for you and your family and demonstrates
that concern by belonging to the American Dental
Association. As a member of the Association, your
dentist participates in an ongoing program of
professional development and continuing education to
remain current with advances in the profession and to
provide quality patient treatment. Visit the ADA's
website at www.ada.org.
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