The Impact of Your Food Choices on Your Oral Health

Did you know that taking care of your oral health entails more than visiting your dentist in Issaquah and brushing and flossing your teeth daily?

Studies show that your diet can impact your oral health. The food you eat provides your teeth and gums the nutrients they need to prevent oral diseases and infections like gum disease.

Part of your dentist’s job, aside from examining your mouth and removing plaque and tartar from your teeth, is providing you with nutritional counseling. Dentists will teach you that fast food, sugary treats, and other fad diets can have serious consequences on your oral health.

Research shows that a poor diet increases your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Foods that contain high amounts of starch and sugars boost acid production and cause your enamel to erode.

In the long run, this erosion will inevitably lead to tooth decay and cavities. People who continue to dismiss the value of proper nutrition may suffer from hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and oral cancer.

How Does Your Diet Affect Your Oral Health?

Foods That Are Bad for Your Teeth and Gums

Some of the foods that are known to cause oral health problems include the following:

• Sticky and chewy foods like honey, caramel, jellybeans, granola bars, and taffy can stick to your teeth like glue.
• Foods high in sugar like cakes, cookies, chewing gum, candies can cause cavities.
• Carbonated drinks like sodas contain sugars and acids that can wear your enamel.
• Fruit drinks are also high in sugar and acids and can compromise the integrity and strength of your enamel.
• Just like soda, energy drinks are packed with sugars and acids that can destroy your teeth.
• Acidic foods and drinks like salad dressings, pickles, fruit juices, lemons can also erode your enamel.

What to Eat Instead

Just as there are foods that are notorious for causing tooth decay and gum disease, there are also foods that will help keep your oral health in great shape.

Choose these foods for snacking instead of indulging in teeth-damaging food and drinks. These foods and drinks contain fewer amounts of sugar and are highly nutritious.

• Hard cheese
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Plain yogurt
• Raw vegetables
• Apples
• Seeds
• Nuts
• Naan bread
• Tortilla chips
• Water

How Do You Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy?

Aside from proper oral care and getting your teeth checked and cleaned at the clinic, you should be conscious of the food and drinks you consume.

If you can’t help yourself, you can enjoy sweets during your meals and not during snack time because saliva production is high during mealtime, and this helps dilute and wash away the sugars.

Check if the products contain sugar. Examples of ingredients you should look out for include maple syrup, sucrose, molasses, fructose, glucose, and corn syrup.

Do You Need to See a Dentist in Issaquah?

If you want to learn more tips on how to keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy, we can help.

At Apex Dental Care, your oral health is our number top priority. We have been in the industry for nearly two decades, and we take pride in our skills and experience in providing general, restorative, and cosmetic dental care.

We also offer nutritional counseling to ensure that your teeth and gums are in great shape. For questions and inquiries, don’t hesitate to call us for more information.