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What to eat to keep your
teeth
Nutritional approaches
to oral health go beyond 'don't eat sugar.'
Research indicates that
each of our 32 teeth provides yet another
reason to watch what we eat.
"Adequate nutrition
is important in disease prevention and
nutritional counseling is becoming an
increasingly important tactic in preventive
dentistry," said Roger Smith, DDS,
chair of Delta's Dental Policy Committee.
"The quality and consistency of foods,
and the combinations in which they are
eaten can affect the likelihood of tooth
decay," he said.
Ongoing research indicates
that antioxidants and other nutrients
found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and
nuts may strengthen immunity and improve
the body's ability to fight bacteria and
inflammation, all of which can help protect
the teeth and gums. And some dietary selections
and habits even have distinct effects
on the mouth's ability to handle cavity-causing
bacterial attacks.
For example:
- Calcium and vitamin
D supplements are known to decrease the
risk for tooth loss in the elderly. As
bone loss in the oral cavity can lead
to tooth loss, many of the same methods
used to ward off osteoporosis can be beneficial
to tooth retention. Adding powdered milk
to cooked dishes helps those who don't
care for milk or cheese to get some of
the calcium needed to protect teeth and
jawbones.
- Antioxidant vitamins
such as Vitamin C, and other nutrients
from fruits and vegetables help protect
gums and other tissues from cell damage
and bacterial infection. Studies indicate
that fresh cranberries interrupt the bonding
of oral bacteria before they can form
damaging plaque.
- Folic acid promotes
a healthy mouth and supports cell growth
throughout the entire body. This member
of the B vitamin family is found in green
leafy vegetables and brewer's yeast.
- Eating sugary or
carbohydrate-rich foods as part of a balanced
meal is better than eating them alone.
The body produces more saliva to help
digest larger meals, which washes away
more food and helps neutralize harmful
acids before they can attack teeth.
- Foods that take
a long time to chew can damage teeth.
That's because sticky foods, including
nutritious choices like raisins, dates
and dried fruit hold acid against teeth
longer than do other foods.
- And, what photographers
have known for decades, dentists are discovering
now: Cheese and smiles go together. Cooked
or cold, cheese unleashes a burst of calcium
that mixes with plaque and sticks to the
teeth. This sticky mixture protects teeth
from the acid that causes decay and helps
rebuild tooth enamel on the spot.
"From their undergraduate
days through doctoral work and continuing
education, dental professionals should be
taught to work collaboratively with other
health care providers. That includes making
nutritional assessments and knowing when
to recommend dietary changes or interventions,"
said Dr. Smith. "Nutritional recommendations
for oral health go far beyond sugar is bad
for your teeth."
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