Healthy diets are commonly associated with overall health and weight. But did you know your diet can also affect your oral health? Whether you follow a healthy or poor diet, your teeth will feel its effects.
Here’s how what you eat or drink can affect your oral health.
Sugary foods
Most people know diets high in sugar and carbohydrates can cause cavities. In return, cavities can lead to bad breath, tooth decay and other major oral health issues. If you do consume something sugary, it’s important that you drink a lot of water afterwards. This helps wash out those sugar particles and keep your mouth free of bacterial buildup!
Acidic foods
Consuming too many acidic foods can be harmful to your oral health and cause issues such as canker sores. Over time, acid can wear down and weaken your tooth enamel. This may lead to cavities or gum disease. To avoid the adverse effects of acidic food, drink water while eating. When drinking something acidic, try using a straw to limit direct contact with your teeth.
Healthy foods for your oral health
If you’re looking for ways to improve your oral health through your dietary choices, start with food high in calcium and phosphorus. Both minerals help protect and strengthen your tooth enamel. Leafy green vegetables, Greek yogurt, almonds and other dairy products are great sources of both minerals — especially calcium.
Fruits and vegetables are also great for your oral health, as they’re high in water content which can help dilute the effects of any sugars in those foods that may damage teeth.
It doesn’t matter how healthy your diet is, you still need to visit the dentist regularly. If it’s been a while, schedule an appointment with Jackson Dental by calling (573) 243-5200 or visiting our office at 3100 E Jackson Blvd., Jackson, Mo.