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Healthy Eating for Good Oral Health

What you eat affects your oral health destiny. You can dramatically impact your dental health by eating a well-balanced, healthful diet. Research has shown that poor nutrition jeopardizes our oral health which puts you at risk for a number of serious dental problems.

The Food Factor

Our food choices can make a big difference in two of the most common diseases today: tooth decay and gum disease. Certain foods, especially those containing sugar, are directly linked to increased levels of cavity-causing bacteria. Tooth decay results when acids from the bacteria attack the teeth forming cavities. While diet doesn't directly cause gum disease, a condition affecting the supporting tissues of the teeth, researchers believe the disease is more rapid and severe when poor nutrition is a factor. Gum disease is a serious problem, since it can lead to tooth loss if untreated.

Diet and Dental Health

The American Dietetic Association and the National Institutes of Health recommend eating a well-balanced diet including plenty of fruits, vegetables, a good variety of breads and cereals, dairy products, fish, chicken, dried beans and peas, and meat. Enjoying a variety of foods is the best way to get all the important nutrients needed for keeping healthy. Beware of fad diets that exclude entire food groups. This can cause nutritional deficiencies.

Snack Smart

Snacking is a favorite pastime, but certain snack choices promote tooth decay such as soft, sweet, sticky foods. Select nutritious snacks better for your teeth and general good oral health, especially colorful, juicy fresh fruits and crisp, crunchy vegetables. Choose your snacks based on any other dietary concerns, such as low cholesterol, low-fat, or low sodium diets. Dental cleaning should always follow snacking, whenever possible.

If you snack on crackers, cookies, or chips, it's better if you eat them in combination with other foods, such as cheese with crackers, rather than alone. This is because these foods when eaten alone tend to produce more bacteria in the mouth leading to tooth decay. Remember, each time you snack, oral bacteria is activated. Drink plenty of water to rinse away some of the disease-causing bacteria. If possible, brush your teeth after snacking.

Select from the wide variety of foods for healthful eating -- that are good for you and your oral health.

By Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Preventive Dentistry

One of the simplest dental hygiene exercises you can do for yourself is something you've heard before and it bears repeating: floss.

Every 24 hours, bacteria contribute to a new batch of plaque. Brushing, no matter how well done, will not get all the "bugs," especially between teeth and where tooth meets gum tissue. Flossing before or after brushing should be a part of everyone's oral health care program. The kind of floss, waxed, unwaxed, tape, doesn't matter. Just choose the product you're comfortable with, and use it.

Maybe you never quite got the hang of flossing, or are a little out of practice. Here's a quick refresher course.

• Wrap about 18 inches of floss around your fingers; give yourself about five to six taut inches to work with. If the floss frays or builds up with debris, re-loop the floss and keep at it.
• Try starting on the upper molars, way in the back; they're most difficult to reach. Follow the curve of enamel on every surface you can, three to four passes each.
• Where teeth meet, you may have to gently pull the floss to the gum line. Avoid sawing motions as that may damage soft tissue.
• Proceed from the back teeth to the center front. Then repeat the process on the other side.
• Rinse, and there you are.

If you find all this tedious or feel you're "all thumbs," a floss threader can help. Your dental hygienist can show you how to handle one. Just ask for help.

And remember, any amount of time you spend on plaque removal is time well spent for better dental health. The more time the better. If you have more questions or for more information, just call your dentist.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.