Why Your Diet Is The Cornerstone of Good Oral Health

It’s no secret that sugary foods are more likely to cause cavities. The plaque that develops on your teeth throughout the day and at night feeds off of those sugars left behind and can give you cavities.

The fact of the matter is, your overall diet has a great impact on your oral health. This is logical, considering anything you put in your body first comes into contact with your mouth.

Cavities aren’t your only concern

If you consume too many sugary foods or drinks, it’s not just cavities you’re at a further risk of, but also tooth decay.

Tooth decay starts to occur the second that plaque comes into contact with sugars, which causes acid to erode the outer shell of your teeth, potentially leading you down a path to cavities. ( source )

The importance of nutrients

It’s also a good idea to make sure that your diet includes as many nutrients as possible. For example, if you only eat carrots, healthy though they may be, you’re still not giving your mouth the nutrients it would benefit from spinach, avocados, bell peppers, lean proteins, etc.

Incorporating different nutrients from different foods into your diet helps ensure that even the tissues in your mouth are best prepared to handle anything, including infection. ( source )

What happens if I don’t eat as healthy as I should?

Every person is different, so we only have statistics and science to go on. With that, studies have concluded that adults who wear dentures or have lost teeth generally don’t have as healthy of a diet as those adults that still have their natural teeth. ( source )

What should I eat? ( source )

Dairy is always a great option. Aside from being low in sugar, the calcium and protein is great for reinforcing the strength of your teeth.

Same goes for lean proteins—meat, poultry, fish, eggs, etc. contain essential nutrients in keeping your teeth strong.

Fruits, veggies, and nuts are full of the vitamins and minerals your teeth need, PLUS, they stimulate saliva production, which is your mouth’s natural defense against cavity formation.

At the end of the day, your mouth is the only one you have. Eat right, and give it the nutrients it needs to stay as healthy as possible.