Nutrition and Dental Health: Is There a Connection?

Many people do not make the correlation between nutrition and oral health. Most assume that food and nutrients are only related to their physical health, especially since nutrition is such a hot topic among those in the fitness community. However, as any dentist in Jacksonville, FL will tell you, maintaining good oral health takes more than regular teeth cleanings; proper nutrition needs to be a part of it too.

Foods that are high in sugar are frowned on in the fitness community because consuming too many can wreak havoc on the body. The same goes for the teeth and mouth. Sugary foods leave behind dangerous deposits on your teeth that cause tooth decay and the erosion of tooth enamel. While it is recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day, it is also important that you limit the risk of damage by limiting your sugar intake. This also includes drinks that are full of sugar, such as soda. If large amounts of sugar are in your diet, by the time you brush your teeth for the second time of the day, damage has already been done.

Some people like to brush their teeth after each meal, but that can also be harmful to your teeth. It has been shown that certain foods and drinks can actually soften your teeth's enamel. Therefore, brushing right after a meal can actually begin to strip your teeth of that enamel.

Watching what you eat plays a key role in the health of your gums and teeth. Eating healthy by incorporating a nice variety of each of the food groups, practicing portion control, drinking plenty of water and limiting your daily sugar intake will all help to ensure your mouth stays healthy.

It is also important to note that foods high in acidic content can be detrimental to the health of your teeth. There are a variety of healthy foods that contain a lot of acid, such as some fruits and vegetables. As previously mentioned, do not brush your teeth immediately after eating these foods. Research has shown that waiting at least an hour after eating to brush your teeth will prevent any further erosion of tooth enamel.

It is always important to seek out professional dental care, but especially when damage has been done to teeth. Failure to do so will result in further damage to teeth, which becomes painful and sometimes irreversible. Teeth can become so worn down and broken that they either fall out or must be removed and replaced. If your teeth are broken, painful or missing, keeping a healthy, nutritional diet becomes extremely difficult to maintain. Certain foods become virtually impossible to eat if you are unable to use your teeth.

If you find yourself in need of reconstructive dentistry or would like to find a family dentist in Jacksonville, FL, contact David and Associates. Our group of trained professionals is here to meet all your dental and oral hygiene needs.