Diet and Teeth: Are You Eating with Your Teeth in Mind?

Diet and teeth go hand in hand.  You’ve heard the phrase, “You are what you eat”. There’s a lot of truth to that statement, not only for your physical health, but also for your oral health.

What You Eat and When You Eat Makes a Difference

Changes in your mouth begin the minute you eat some foods.  A healhty diet and teeth protection should be your daily goal.  Sugars, carbohydrates and acidic foods, react to the bacteria that naturally exists in your mouth and starts the decay process right away. The more often you snack between meals, the more frequently you are exposing your teeth to the cycle of decay. If you snack between meals, be sure to rinse your mouth with water to dilute some of the effects of the food you’ve eaten.

Poor Food Choices Can Be Detrimental to a Healthy Mouth

Good diet and teeth choices require that you forego some of the foods that you may reach for out of habit and start some new habits. Foods that contain large amounts of sugar stick to your teeth and provide a fuel source for bacteria, which causes tooth decay. Those foods include the obvious such as:

• Candy –  Hard candies, lollipops, caramels, jelly beans, mints and even cough drops contain sugar. Because these stay in your mouth for a long time, and  it’s difficult for saliva to wash the sugar away, contributing to tooth decay.
• Cakes, cookies, pies and other desserts contain a lot of sugar, which can cause tooth decay. If you choose to eat these foods, instead of snacking on them throughout the day, limit when you eat them, and brush your teeth afterward. (Wait at least 30 minutes after eating before you brush your teeth.)
• Breads and muffins, crackers, potato chips, pretzels and french fries are simple carbohydrates that break down into sugars that mix with the bacteria in your mouth. The sugars ferment and create lactic acid, which erodes your tooth enamel.
• Bananas chips, raisins and other dried fruits contain a high concentration of sugars and their chewy texture sticks to teeth, making them more susceptible to decay.
• Sugary drinks such as soft drinks, lemonade, tea and coffee or any drink with added sugars are obviously bad for your teeth. Sipping drinks that contain sugar exposes your teeth to non-stop decay-causing acids.

Sugary and acidic foods contribute to the loss of minerals in your teeth, causing bacteria to accumulate in your mouth. Once the enamel or bone is gone, there’s no way to get them back without replacing the tooth entirely.

Remineralization and Your Teeth

If you are worried about your diet and teeth health, it isn’t too late to start making healthy changes now.  It is possible to help replenish lost minerals with lifestyle changes before tooth decay occurs. This process is known as remineralization, a natural process where minerals are redeposited in tooth enamel after being removed by acids. Mineral loss is inevitable to some degree and while your teeth are built to take a lot of wear and tear, they can eventually be worn down. Talk to your dentist about ways to remineralize your teeth.

Dr. Shane Porter of Premier Dentistry of Eagle, is proficient in treating a wide range of problems with your teeth, including remineralization, tooth decay, gum disease, infected teeth and the loss of one or more teeth. He believes your smile is never beyond hope! If you’re struggling with your dental health, contact Dr. Porter’s office at 208-546-0655 and schedule an appointment for an exam.

In the meantime, seek for ways to improve your eating habits, along with good dental hygiene habits of brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day. There is a wide variety of good foods that will help protect your smile and keep the tooth decay at bay!

Mouth-Healthy Foods and Drinks to Protect Your Pearly Whites

A healthy diet and teeth health require daily goals for healthy eating and drinking. Some foods protect tooth enamel by providing calcium and phosphorus and help keep tooth enamel healthy and strong and can help prevent cavities. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the best foods for the health of your mouth include:

• Cheeses, yogurt, etc. The calcium in cheese and the calcium and phosphates in milk and other dairy products, are important minerals for the health of your teeth.
• Chicken or other meats contain many nutrients, including calcium. These nutrients are essential for your the health of your teeth and are not harsh on the enamel.
• Fish may lower the rate of gum disease due to the omega-3 fatty acids, according to a Harvard  study.
• Nuts are good for your teeth because they contain vitamins and minerals, iron, folic acid, magnesium and more.
• Milk contains calcium and phosphates, which strengthen your teeth. If you can’t tolerate milk products, vegetables like broccoli and spinach are high in calcium.
• Firm and crunchy fruits such as apples and pears help clean the teeth and gums and help kill of bad bacteria.
• Vegetables have a high water content which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain, and stimulates the flow of saliva, which protects the teeth.
• Acidic foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and lemons, should be eaten as part of your meal to minimize the acid. Check out this link for a comprehensive list of do’s and don’ts from the ADA. 
• Water with fluoride is “nature’s cavity fighter” and is considered by the ADA to be one of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do to help prevent cavities.

Call for a Diet and Teeth Consultation

Your diet makes a big difference when it comes to a healthy smile.  You truly are what you eat and so are your teeth! If you have cavities or if you’re struggling with other issues related to your teeth and gums, don’t put off seeking treatment. In many cases, your mouth can be restored to a healthy, functional, and beautiful state. Contact Premier Dentistry of Eagle at (208) 546-0655 for an evaluation with Dr. Porter.  

Conveniently located at 467 South Rivershore Lane in Eagle, Idaho, we serve Eagle and the surrounding communities of Star, Middleton, Meridian, Garden City, and Boise, Idaho. Known for our gentle, compassionate and personal care, we are here to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile.