For a healthy body, a balanced diet is essential. In the same way, diet plays a significant role in dental health. What you consume is as important as your oral hygiene routine to have healthy teeth and mouth.
Even though you brush or floss your teeth at least two times a day as recommended, you need to pay attention to your diet for better oral care. Here is everything you need to know about the relationship between diet and dental health.
Foods that Benefit Dental Health
Diet and dental health are related since it is possible to keep your teeth healthy by consuming some foods. First, dairy products like milk, plain yogurt, and cheese are high in calcium and protein, which help to protect teeth from bacteria and prevent tooth decay.
In addition to dairy products, vegetables are also very beneficial for oral health. Vegetables are an indispensable part of diet lists. Many dietitians suggest consuming vegetables during meals.
Especially some vegetables that are high in fiber are very good for not only your dental health but also your overall health.
Such vegetables are spinach, celery, and carrots. For a good diet and dental health, try consuming them. Similarly, some fruits are good for dental health as well. Fruits like strawberries, apples, and grapes benefit dental health.
They are high in vitamins and water and increase the production of saliva. You may notice a change in your oral health by including these foods in your diet.
Foods to Avoid for Good Dental Health
Another thing you need to know about the relationship between diet and dental health is that some food can also damage your teeth. If you want good dental health, avoid or limit consuming certain foods. Such foods are candy, sweets and pastries. Thus, you can reduce the risk of potential dental problems that they can cause.
To have good dental health, you should limit the consumption of foods high in sugar, acid or carbohydrate since they can lead to many dental health problems. Besides, these foods lead to weight gain and related health problems like diabetes and obesity. Especially diabetes and oral health go hand in hand.
In addition, you should limit eating starchy foods. Starchy foods include pasta, white rice, white bread, crackers, and potatoes. These foods are usually stuck between your teeth, enabling food particles to stay there and increase plaque buildup on your teeth.
The less you consume these foods that are bad for your dental health, the better. When you plan your diet, do not add these to your list. Thus, you can reduce the problems that these foods lead to.
Nutrients Essential for Dental Health
Nutritional deficiencies can lead to several dental problems, such as cavities and gum diseases. To avoid these dental problems, you should add nutrients to your diet. For instance, some foods and drinks high in calcium and protein, such as milk, plain yogurt or cheese, are the best for strengthening tooth enamel.
Besides, these dairy products increase saliva production, which helps avoid dental problems like dry mouth. Another nutrient that is essential for your diet and dental health is phosphorus.
The body’s total absorption of calcium depends on phosphorus, and it helps to strengthen teeth enamel as well. You should add dairy products, red meat, lentils, nuts or seafood to your diet to increase the phosphorus and improve your teeth.
The Role of Hydration in Dental Health
Hydration also plays an essential role in diet and dental health. To keep yourself hydrated, the first thing you need to do is drink water. Drinking water for dental health is important because it helps increase saliva and remove plaque.
Thus, it decreases the risk of dental problems such as tooth decay, discoloration, dry mouth, and gum diseases. Besides drinking water, consuming certain foods and drinks high in water can help you stay hydrated.
For instance, you can add watermelon, peach, pineapple or cucumber to your diet. In addition, if you are smoking and vaping, it leads to a dry mouth, and drinking water helps to decrease the effect of vaping and smoking.
Strategies for a Dental-Healthy Diet
Here are some strategies for a better diet and dental health. If you want healthy teeth and to avoid dental problems, pay attention to them.
Portion Control and Meal Planning
Keep in mind that portion control and meal planning are crucial not only for your dental health but also for your overall health. To maintain a healthy diet and dental health, you can plan your meal a day or a week before.
When preparing your meals, add protein, fiber, dairy products, grains, and vegetables to your plan, as recommended. Thus, you can fill your stomach with nutrients that are good for your body and teeth and avoid unhealthy choices.
Snacking Habits and Dental Health
If you constantly consume snacks throughout the day that are often unhealthy, low in nutrients, and sugary or acidic, they can damage your overall health, including your dental health. For instance, if you have a sweet tooth and want something sweet, you can eat fruits like apples, strawberries or peaches.
Fruits are the best option for sugar cravings. However, be careful not to eat dried fruits. Many people think dried fruits are healthy snacks, but they are not and lead to dental problems. Since dried fruits are hard to chew, they can break your teeth while eating.
Also, carbonated drinks, juices, alcohol, soda, juices, and acidic drinks have a bad effect on your teeth. They increase the risk of tooth discoloration, tooth sensitivity, and tooth decay.
Incorporating Dental-Healthy Foods in Daily Diet
Of course, it is possible to eat healthy food sometimes. However, you should add some foods beneficial for your teeth to your daily diet to maintain healthy dental health. If you take care of your oral hygiene and brush and floss your teeth at least two times a day but do not care about what you consume, you are still at risk for dental problems.
You can contact a dietitian or a dentist for more information about a healthy diet and dental health. Here at Smileteam, we provide our clients with expert dental care. You can contact us if you experience dental problems or wish to improve your health.
You can reach our previous article from https://smileteamturkey.com/blog/the-latest-trends-in-cosmetic-dentistry/
