Your food choices have far-reaching implications for your oral and whole-body health. We’ve all been cautioned about the risks to our oral health from consuming too much sugar and acidic foods, but some foods can actually benefit it! While you’re considering changes to your diet to prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, IBS, and diabetes, give your oral health some consideration as well! Eating the right nutrient-rich foods can help you feel better and be healthier on every level!
The Connection of Body, Mouth, And Diet
Your mouth is able to communicate an immense amount of information to your physician and dentist. If you’re not getting enough of the proper nutrients or enough of them, there will be indicators in your oral health. Within our mouth can be found a microbiome comprised of hundreds of types of bacteria, some of which are essential to fighting illness. Others, like the streptococcus mutans bacteria, have a deleterious effect on the health of our teeth, gums, and other oral structures.
Not only can making healthy food choices protect your teeth, but it can also help the healthy bacteria that keep the harmful ones at bay. This is good for more than just your oral health, as well. There has been substantial research that reveals that oral health problems can have consequences that extend to our entire bodies. In severe enough cases, the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can get into our bloodstream and cause serious illness, even death.
Taking Steps To Start An Oral Health Supporting Diet
One of the worst things you can do for your oral health is to have a diet that consists of an overabundance of processed sugar and carbohydrates. Both of these substances are well-known food sources for the unhealthy bacteria that call our mouths home. They are still something that we need as a part of our diet as they also form the primary source of energy for our cells. StatPearls has produced results from studies that cover the digestion and consumption process and encourage a dynamic variety of foods that are both highly nutritious and healthy for our teeth. These foods promote the production of saliva, protect deposits of calcium, and limit the risks of dental diseases. We recommend the following if you wish to eat a healthy, balanced diet:
- Foods rich in calcium, such as dairy
- Vitamin D, A, and C rich foods
- Fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber
- Meals that are low-fat and high in protein
- Water with fluoride
You also want to be certain to avoid foods that are highly processed and high in fats, sugar, and salt. These foods are particularly bad for your teeth and your health overall. If you want more guidance in starting a healthy dental diet, reach out to your dental practitioner today!
