13 Dec Eating Good And What It Does For Your Dental Hygiene

Eating Good and What it does for Your Dental Hygiene?

Brushing and flossing your teeth is a good dental hygiene practice. However, for proper dental care and maintaining the oral ecosystem, you have to work on your nutritional habits as well. There is a strong connection between your oral health and overall well-being. The food you eat affects your oral health in both good and bad ways depending upon your dietary habits.

Nutritional Habits and Oral Hygiene

Poor nutritional habits lead to tooth decay, cavities, and gum diseases. Perhaps, sugar is one of the main culprits that destroy your teeth. If sugar, carbohydrates, and starches constitute a large portion of your diet, you are at an increased risk of cavities.

Sweetened soft drinks, candies, and snacks with low nutritional values are a few of the common sources of sugar. When the bad oral bacteria encounter sugar in your diet, they produce acids that attack your teeth. The bacterial infection causes your tooth to lose the enamel, thereby forming cavities.

However, you can prevent tooth decay and gum diseases by adopting healthy oral hygiene and dietary habits.  Perhaps, you already know the importance of brushing and flossing your teeth. Nutrient-rich foods also have a key role in promoting your oral health.

Teeth-Friendly Diet

A balanced diet is vital to dental care as it helps strengthen your teeth and promote healthy gums. Your diet should be a mix of different essential nutrients for ensuring optimal oral health. For instance, you should eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and calcium-rich foods.

• Some of the rich sources of calcium include yogurt, cheese, and low-fat milk. Almonds, fortified soy drinks, dark green leafy veggies, and salmon also strengthen your teeth and bones.
• Citrus fruits contain Vitamin C, which is very good for promoting healthy gums. Other sources of vitamin C include broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, potatoes, and peppers.
• Another mineral that promotes healthy teeth is phosphorus. Dairy products, beans, eggs, nuts, lean meat, and fish are some of the phosphorus-rich foods.

Snack Smartly

Many people have the habit of munching snacks throughout the day. They find it difficult to resist the snacks without realizing that it increases the risk of acid attacks on your teeth. While resisting snacks is the best option, you may snack wisely.

Snacking in between the meals is unhealthy because they help acid stimulation in the mouth. If you can’t live without snacks, then make it a part of your meal. During a meal, the mouth produces more saliva that helps wash away the food particles. Also, saliva reduces the acidic effect, thereby preventing tooth decay.

Replacing sugary candies with nutritious foods is another good way of ensuring dental hygiene. Make sure to check the labels for nutrition facts before munching a piece of cake or sipping a sweetened beverage.

Final thoughts

Your nutrition plan contributes greatly to your oral and overall health. You may visit a dietitian for a teeth-friendly diet chart.  Also, keep your teeth by adopting healthy hygiene habits.  Brush your teeth twice a day and rinse your mouth after every meal. Use fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash and visit your dentist regularly.