Nutrition and Oral Health
Nutrition and Oral Health
We would like to touch on a subject many of our patients have enquired about.
Nutrition.
Quite simply put, you can’t have oral health without adequate nutrition. Minerals and nutrients are essential to help your body’s tissues grow and resist infection.
So which vitamins and minerals are good for me?
There are many minerals and nutrients that benefit the entire body. Here are some that can specifically help you oral health:
Calcium – Your teeth and jaws are made of mostly calcium. Without enough calcium in your diet, you may become susceptible to developing gum disease and tooth decay. You will find calcium in cheese, mild yogurt, beans and even oysters.
Iron – Your tongue, if deficient in iron can become inflamed and sores can form inside your mouth. Some iron rich foods include bran cereals, nuts and spices as well as red meat and liver. Of course if you don’t eat meat there is a vast array of supplements available on the market.
The B vitamins – Believe it or not a lack of B3 (niacin) can cause bad breath and canker sores. To boost your B3 levels you can eat chicken and fish.
Deficiency in B2 (riboflavin) and B12 will also cause mouth sores. Almonds, pasta, bagels and spinach will help handle your B2 scarcity. Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt and meats such as pork, liver and fish are good sources of B12.
Vitamin C – As every ancient sailor knows too little vitamin C will lead to bleeding gums and tooth loss. As discovered in 1753 in the Royal Navy scurvy could be cured with citrus. Sweet potatoes, raw red peppers and oranges are great sources of vitamin C.
Vitamin D – Vitamin D goes hand in hand with taking Calcium because it helps the body absorb it. A diet lacking or low in vitamin D will cause burning mouth syndrome. Symptoms include a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth, dry mouth and a burning sensation inside the mouth. Milk, egg yolks, and fish will increase your vitamin D intake.
Green Tea – Studies by researchers in
Sugar – No kidding! Candy and snacks like cookies, cakes or other desserts contain a high amount of sugar. Dental plaque bacteria thrives on sugar to produce acids that can destroy the hard surface of your tooth and cause cavities.
Carbonated sodas also contain extremely high amounts of sugar. Both diet and regular sodas also contain phosphorous which wears away the enamel on your teeth. This causes your teeth to become stained and brown. Drinking plenty of water is a healthy alternative to soda and great for oral health too!
Sticky, chewy foods – Raisins, granola bars, jelly beans, caramel, honey and syrup can stick to your teeth and make it difficult for saliva to wash the sugar away.
Carbohydrates – Bacteria feed on left-over food particles left in the mouth and produce acid which causes decay. Carbohydrate-laden foods, such as chips, bread, pasta or crackers can be as harmful to your teeth as candy!
Please consume these foods in moderation and always be sure to brush and floss your teeth to maintain top oral health.
A regular hygiene program with your dental provider can help diagnose and treat in a timely manner any deficiencies in your oral health. If you do not have such a program in place, call us at 404-352-5578 to schedule a dental cleaning and comprehensive exam.
Good luck and happy eating!
The Atlanta Dentist blog is provided as a courtesy by Lohmann Dental.
Tags: dental health, gums, nutrition, oral health, teeth