How a Healthy Diet Improves Oral Health

Your general and oral health go are directly linked, and whatever is going on with the rest of your body can also impact your teeth, gums and other oral tissues. That’s why the Manhattan Beach Dentist strongly emphasizes maintaining a diet with the right balance of healthy foods, while cutting back on unhealthy ones that contribute to tooth decay and other health issues.

What Constitutes a Healthy Diet?

When we refer to a healthy diet, we’re talking about foods with a high nutritional value. These foods provide nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water that build strong bodies, fight disease and help our bodies maintain good function on the cellular level.

A healthy diet has three components: variety, eating several different kinds of foods with a wide range of nutrients; balance, eating a proper portion from different food groups; and moderation, eating portions that are enough to meet energy needs and cellular health while not overindulging. It’s important to remember that excess carbohydrates, proteins and fats are stored as body fat, which has an impact on a healthy weight.

How Does My Diet Affect My Teeth?

You should be aware of the ways in which certain foods have a direct effect on your teeth and gums. Foods with added sugars and starches are a rich food source for decay-causing bacteria; naturally occurring sugars found in fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products are not as great a threat. In this regard, the best approach is to decrease the amount of processed foods in your diet, while increasing your intake of whole foods.

What Foods Improve Oral Health?

You can also help deter tooth decay with certain foods. Eating cheese after a sweet snack helps prevent an increase in the mouth’s acidic level, a contributing factor in tooth decay. Eating plant foods that require chewing stimulates saliva, which also helps prevent a rise in the acidic level.

Good nutrition a key for maintaining good overall health because it’s just as important for keeping your teeth and gums healthy and functioning. If you’d like more information about your diet and the effect it has on your teeth, please contact the Manhattan Beach Dentist to arrange a consultation.