The mouth is the window of the internal health. Dental professionals strive to educate patients about their dietary choices in efforts to maintain and improve their oral health status. It is important to understand the relationship between the oral disease and nutritional deficiencies.
Important Factors in Healthy Eating Patterns
Proper diet is crucial to the maintenance of the healthy nutritional condition. It is a vital element in resistance and immunity to oral cancer. Supporting healthy eating patterns includes choosing nutrient-dense foods and beverages on a continuous basis. In many cases, personal and cultural preferences play a major role in nutritional choices. Shifting these preferences may require an added effort in accomplishing the goal of healthy body weight and nutrients adequacy.
Dental Caries and Dietary Implications
The amount and frequency of consumed sugar is the main culprit in caries formation. The bacteria in dental plaque, combined with fermentable sugars, create a perfect environment for development of decay. One can of soda contains as much as 10 teaspoons of sugar and is detrimental to oral health. However, the amount of sugar is less harmful then the amount of time it takes for the consumed sugar to vacate the mouth. When drinking sugary beverages and eating carbohydrate-rich foods, water is the favored choice for oral bacteria removal and should be consumed immediately after ingesting sweets. Water will also quench the thirst and reduce the craving for additional beverages.
How to Maintain Healthy Mouth
Besides the obvious immaculate care at home, preventive factors include diet sequencing such as consumption of food from all dietary groups in proper amounts at certain times of day. Fats and proteins, included within a meal, create a protective shield against sugars and acids. Dairy products sustain calcium and phosphorus in the saliva resulting in correctly balanced pH levels. Fluoride that is present in both water and consumed foods and liquids will help to re-mineralize the tooth enamel.
It is important to become familiar with adequate balancing of nutrients to amplify resistance against decay, periodontal disease and ultimate premature tooth loss. Formerly known as Food Group Pyramids, Healthy Eating Plates were created by the Harvard School of Public Health to aid patients with accurate food intake. All dentists encourage their patients to inquire more information at the time of their visits.
Preventive care, such as routinely scheduled dental check-ups and cleanings, is always recommended to ensure positive oral flora and an appropriate maintenance of the mouth.