Tooth decay and tooth loss aren't random occurrences - they are the direct result of years of neglect and poor oral hygiene. Optimum oral health is directly related to your diet; the more you eat foods that negatively impact the health of your teeth, the more you will be required to visit a dentist for routine cleanings. When was the last time you had your teeth examined by a dentist?
Everyone knows that eating excessive amounts of sugar leads to tooth decay and tooth loss. However, few people realize that sugar is not the direct cause of tooth decay. Rather, sugar is the food that bacteria thrive on, and bacterium produces an acidic substance every time it eats sugar. That acidic substance is called plaque. Did you know that your mouth is full of bacteria, both good and bad? The more you eat sugary foods, the more you are directly feeding the bacterium, and the more plaque will be produced as a result of their sugar consumption.
Considering sugar consumption is the first step towards tooth decay, it's quite obvious that any food that doesn't contain sugar is probably a safe bet for optimal oral health. The more often you can choose foods that don't promote plaque production, the healthier your tooth and gum. Of course, you'll still be required to visit the dentist for routine cleaning.
Most people associate sugary foods with the obvious culprits: donuts, pastries, and candy bars. While those snack foods are certainly high in sugar and carbohydrates, there are other foods that also promote plaque production. Some of those foods are milk, most types of bread, and any type of food that contains grains. If you were a spiritual master with super human discipline, you could simply avoid all sugary foods or foods that contain excessive amounts of grain. However, since few people have God like discipline when it comes to eating, it's best to maintain a diet that consists of moderation. Along with a sensible diet, of course, you'll need to visit your dentist for routine checkups and teeth cleaning.
Have you ever heard the old saying that snacking between meals is bad for your oral health? We've all heard that saying, but few people really understand why snacking is bad for your teeth. The reasoning may shock you: when you snack, your mouth produces only a minimal amount of saliva and saliva is a deterrent for plaque production.
When we eat larger meals (such as breakfast or dinner), our mouths produce increased amounts of saliva which creates an "anti-plaque" environment. Snacking isn't a problem if you are disciplined enough to brush your teeth after every snack.
The most common diseases in modern society are found inside your mouth! The average person is walking around with a disease and doesn't even realize it; the majority of the population (in any country) has some degree of gum disease and tooth decay. The reason why they don't realize it is because they don't feel any pain and automatically assume their oral health is fine.
There are two solutions for avoiding gum disease and tooth decay: eating a diet that promotes oral health and establishing a regular routine for visiting your dentist for teeth cleaning. Along with visiting your dentist in a timely manner, you'll need to learn how to properly care for your teeth and gum at home, starting with brushing and flossing - those two alone can keep your oral health in great condition!
Another factor that must be taken seriously is a poor immune system which is a direct result of a poor diet. The worse you eat, the lower your immune system gets, and the chances for oral disease increase exponentially. Studies have proven that poor diet is directly linked to a week immune system and vice verse.
Do you drink enough water? They say that a person should drink as many ounces of water equal to half of their body weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, then you should be drinking 75 ounces of water every day. Dehydration leads to restricted saliva production, and as mentioned above, saliva is one of the body's natural defenses for curbing plaque development.
You should always consult a licensed professional before making dietary changes. If you have a family dentist, it's advisable that you schedule a consultation to learn more about how diet and your immune system directly affect each other.
About the Author:
By: Johnny Blackburn
No comments:
Post a Comment