How does Diet affect my Teeth and Gums?
Diet plays an important role in overall oral health and what you eat can greatly affect your risk to tooth decay, even if you brush and floss regularly. Choosing healthy food and foods which are kind to your teeth is just as important as what you do to clean them. As the old saying goes, “you are what you eat”.
What foods are good and bad for my teeth?
Of the many patients we see, modifying the diet often results in a remarked reduction in tooth decay and dental erosion. There are many foods which may appear healthy, but are damaging to the teeth or encourage bacterial growth within the mouth. It is quite common that many patients are not aware that what they are eating or their eating patterns are responsible for dental diseases.
Good foods include:
- Dairy – cheeses, milk, yogurts
- Fresh fruit and vegetables – celery, carrots, leafy vegetables
- Nuts – almonds, cashews
- Water
While sweets, soft drink and sugary foods are well known to cause tooth decay, many patients are unaware that foods high in carbohydrates can be broken down to simple sugars in the mouth to cause tooth decay.
Snacking and Grazing Patterns of Eating
Apart from what you are eating, how often you are eating affect your risk to tooth decay. Eating frequently and in a grazing pattern can lengthen the exposure of your teeth to foods which bacteria feed off.
It is very common to see patients who eat healthily but snack frequently also end up with tooth decay. Sugars in tea and coffee, coupled with constant and prolonged sipping is a common culprit.
Personal and Tailored Diet Analysis and Advice in Brisbane
We are able to analyses your existing diet and provide effective suggestions to help you reduce your risk to tooth decay. We can offer personalised advice to suit your lifestyle and your taste buds.
If you need personalised advise regarding how to reduce your risk to tooth decay, give us a call on 07 3357 4177 today for a consultation with our gentle and experienced dentists.