Oral health has a significant impact on your overall health and wellness. Tooth decay and gum disease are linked to serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. As dentists, doctors, and medical professionals learn more about these links, they are paying special attention to the best ways to prevent common oral health problems.
One of the best ways to prevent cavities and gum disease is through your diet. What you eat on a daily basis has a profound effect on your oral health and general well-being. Learn more about the role of nutrition in preventive dentistry.
What Are Cavities?
Cavities are small pits or holes that form in the enamel of your teeth. The enamel is the hard outer layer of a tooth that can become weakened, and when that occurs your teeth are more likely to develop cavities. If cavities go untreated, they can worsen and spread to neighboring teeth. Deep or extensive cavities can lead to loss of teeth.
What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gum tissue. The gums become red, inflamed, and swollen. They may even bleed when you brush your teeth or bite into food. Untreated gum disease can progress, causing damage to the support structures for the teeth until they become loose and even fall out.
Causes of Cavities and Gum Disease
The primary cause of both cavities and gum disease is plaque. Plaque is a sticky film made up of food residue and bacteria that clings to the teeth. If it is not removed by brushing and flossing it can harden into calculus, which can only be removed with specialized dental tools.
In the case of cavities, the bacteria contained in plaque will gradually eat away at the tooth enamel, forming pits or holes in the crown of the tooth.
In the case of gum disease, plaque bacteria attack the gum tissue, resulting in an infection that will eventually cause permanent damage to your gums and jaw.
How Diet Affects Oral Health
Now you may be wondering how your diet has anything to do with cavities and gum disease. What you eat and when you eat can increase or decrease your risk of oral health problems. For example:
- Sugar. Foods and beverages that are high in sugar feed the bacteria in your mouth, increasing the population and therefore the risk of cavities and gum disease. Sugar is also very sticky and it clings to the teeth, trapping bacteria in the least desirable places.
- Acids. Acidic foods and beverages can erode tooth enamel, weakening it and increasing your risk of developing cavities.
- Nutrients. Nutrient rich foods can improve your oral health, while lack of certain nutrients can increase your risk of cavities. Foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and vitamin C can improve your oral health, while deficiencies of these nutrients can have an adverse effect.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diet and Oral Health
What can I do to reduce my risk of cavities and gum disease when I have sugar?
While it is best to avoid or minimize your sugar and intake as much as possible, when you do enjoy a treat, simply brush your teeth as soon as you can afterwards. If you are not able to brush your teeth, rinse your mouth with water.
What foods are best for oral health?
Foods that are rich in calcium and vitamins like dairy products and fruits/vegetables are some of the best foods you can eat for your oral health. Crunchy vegetables also naturally clean your teeth as you bite and chew them.
