Diet and Dental Health
The foods that you eat and how often you eat them can affect the health of your teeth and gums. Consuming too much sugar in foods and drinks will put you at higher risk for tooth decay. Tooth decay happens when plaque comes into contact with sugar in the mouth, causing acid to attack the teeth.
Foods that contain sugars of any kind will contribute to tooth decay. Choose food and beverage options that are lowest in sugar. Common sources of sugar in the diet include soft drinks, juices, candy, cookies and pastries. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection. Many researchers believe that gum disease progresses faster and is potentially more severe in people with poor nutrition.
For good dental health you should drink plenty of water and limit the number of snacks you eat. If you do snack, you should choose something that is healthy like raw fruits and vegetables, cheese, nuts, eggs, sandwich meats, or popcorn. Foods that are eaten as part of a meal cause less harm to teeth than eating lots of snacks throughout the day, because more saliva is released during a meal. Saliva helps wash foods from the mouth and lessens the effects of acids, which can harm teeth and cause cavities.
Never put babies to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. The same rule applies while using sippy cups. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected. There are many factors which can cause tooth decay. One common cause is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar or acid. Tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle of milk or juice is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby.
Always remember to brush at least twice a day, floss daily and visit your dentist regularly. With regular dental care, your dentist can help prevent oral problems from occurring in the first place and catch those that do occur in the early stages, while they are easy to treat.
We offer oral hygiene instruction at our office for children, parents, and expecting mothers. To schedule an appointment please call Gonsoulin Dentistry at 337-232-0689.
