Proper Nutrition for Healthy Teeth, Mouth and Gums

Foods with a high sugar content can cause tooth problems. After you eat sugary foods, the sugars mix with saliva. Within a short time, this mixture leads to an increase in bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria will turn to plaque, which coats the teeth. Over time, plaque will become tartar. This hard substance often accumulates between teeth and at the gum line. Plaque and tartar contribute to tooth decay. When teeth decay, holes occur. These holes are cavities that cause significant tooth damage as well as pain. Dentists recommend avoiding sugary foods, especially chewy or gummy foods that will stick to tooth surfaces. If you do eat these types of foods, brush your teeth as soon as possible after finishing. Instead of high-sugar foods, choose crisp and crunchy fresh fruits and vegetables. Dairy products can also be beneficial. Foods containing calcium help increase tooth strength. Cheese is also a good choice because it binds to plaque on teeth. When this happens, the cheese actually helps rebuild the enamel in these places.

Gum disease or periodontal disease is a progressive issue that begins with the inflammation of gums where they surround the teeth. The first symptoms of this swelling may be pain and bleeding during tooth-brushing. Left untreated, this inflammation can lead to the gums receding from the teeth. When this happens, teeth can loosen and even fall out. Advanced periodontal disease often involves pockets or abscesses around the teeth, which can even involve the roots and the bone beneath the teeth. People who develop periodontal disease may be at a higher risk of other health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. The same bacteria, plaque, and tartar that cause tooth decay are to blame for periodontal disease. Consequently, the same foods that cause tooth decay can eventually lead to gum disease. Avoiding sugary foods is an important way to prevent gum disease. Some nutritional deficiencies might also make people more susceptible to gum disease. Ensuring an adequate intake of vitamin C may help ensure that oral tissues remain healthy.

The teeth and gums are integral parts of overall mouth health. Someone with extensive tooth decay or gum disease can begin experiencing other health issues that may be potentially serious. Following a healthy eating plan is part of overall health that includes oral health. A nutritious diet includes eating foods low in sugar and high in vitamins and minerals. The body will use these nutrients to rebuild and maintain the various systems that must work together for overall function.

Teeth

• The Best and Worst Foods for Your Teeth
• Esquimo Teeth Prove Health of Meat Diet
• Tooth Decay (Caries or Cavities) in Children
• Nutrition and Oral Health
• Nutrition and Oral Health for Children (PDF)
• Information: Dental Caries and Nutrition
• Maternal Diets, Nutritional Status, and Zinc in Contemporary Mexican Infants’ Teeth: Implications for Reconstructing Paleodiets (PDF)
• DASH Diet Linked to Better Dental Health
• The Nutrition Behind Whiter Teeth
• Dietary Guidelines Promoting Mouth, Teeth, and Gum Health (PDF)

Gums

• Prevent Diabetes Problems: Keep Your Mouth Healthy
• Omega-3s vs. Gum Disease
• Gum Disease Treatment Using Blueberry Extract in Development
• Dental Hygiene: What You Need to Know About Your Teeth and Oral Health (PDF)
• Gum (Periodontal) Disease
• What Does Your Dentist Know About Your Heart?
• Pearly Whites (PDF)
• Diabetes and Your Smile
• Palm Coast Dentists
• Palm Coast Cosmetic Dentists

Mouth

• A Journey Through Nutrition and Health of the Oral Cavity (PDF)
• Oral Health (PDF)
• Advancing Oral Health in America (PDF)
• Oral Health Matters (PDF)
• Nutrition and Oral Health (PDF)
• Oral Health
• Palm Coast Dentistry