In addition to brushing and flossing, a healthful diet with natural or added fluoride protects teeth from decay and keeps the gums healthy. Read on to discover how to keep your smile safe and strong.
Tooth decay, specifically cavities and gum disease are caused by colonies of bacteria that constantly coat the teeth with a sticky film called plaque. If plaque is not brushed away, these bacteria break down the sugars and starches in foods to produce acids that wear away the tooth enamel.
The plaque also hardens into tartar, which can lead to gum inflammation, or gingivitis. A well-balanced diet provides the minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients essential for healthy teeth and gums.
Fluoride, occurring naturally in foods and water, or added to the water supply, can be a powerful tool in fighting decay. It can reduce the rate of cavities by as much as sixty percent.
You need lots of calcium for healthy teeth and gums. Low-fat dairy products, fortified soy and rice beverages, almonds, and dark green leafy vegetables are excellent sources of calcium.
You need vitamin D to help absorb the calcium. Vitamin D is obtained from fluid milk, fortified soy and rice beverages, margarine, fatty fish such as salmon, and moderate exposure to the sun.
Fluoride is key. To a large extent, cavities can be prevented by giving children fluoride in the first few years of life.
Fluoride is supplied through fluoridated water, beverages made with fluoridated water, tea, and some fish, as well as many brands of toothpaste and some mouthwash. Fluoride supplements are available for children who don't have access to fluoridated drinking water.
It is wise to check to see if the water supply in your area is fluoridated. Excess consumption of fluoride can cause mottling of the teeth.
Sucrose, most familiar to us as granulated sugar, is the leading cause of tooth decay, but it is far from the only culprit. Although sugary foods, including cookies, candies, and sodas, are major offenders, starchy foods such as breads and cereals also play an important part in tooth decay.
When starches mix with amylase, an enzyme in saliva, the result is an acid bath that erodes the enamel and makes teeth more susceptible to decay. If starchy foods linger in the mouth, the acid bath is prolonged, and the potential for damage is all the greater.
Fresh fruits, especially apples, are better choices. Fresh fruit, although both sweet and acidic, is much less likely to cause a problem, because chewing stimulates the saliva flow.
Saliva decreases mouth acidity and washes away food particles. Apples, for example, have been called nature's toothbrush because they stimulate the gums, increase saliva flow and reduce the build-up of cavity-causing bacteria.
More teeth are lost through gum disease than through tooth decay. Gum disease is likely to strike anyone who neglects oral hygiene or eats a poor diet.
Particularly at risk are people with alcoholism, malnutrition, or AIDS/HIV infection or who are being treated with steroid drugs or certain cancer chemotherapies. Regular brushing and flossing help to prevent puffy, sore, and inflamed gums.
Gingivitis, a very common condition that causes the gums to redden, swell, and bleed, is typically caused by the gradual buildup of plaque. Treatment requires good dental hygiene and removal of plaque by a dentist or dental hygienist.
Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis -- an advanced infection of the gums that causes teeth to loosen and fall out. There may even be more serious consequences of gum disease.
Studies have shown a link between poor oral health and heart disease. Bleeding gums apparently provide an entry port for bacteria or viruses that can cause heart problems.
You can protect your teeth by concluding meals with foods that do not promote cavities and may even prevent them. For instance, aged cheeses help prevent cavities if consumed at the end of a meal.
Chewing sugarless gum stimulates the flow of saliva, which decreases acid and flushes out food particles. Rinsing your mouth and brushing your teeth after eating are important strategies to prevent cavities.
As you can see, there are so many simple ways to protect your teeth from decay and damage. If you watch your diet and the foods you eat and care for your teeth, you can ensure that you will keep your natural teeth long into old age.
Author Resource:-
Tom Selwick is a former dental assistant, has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health and has worked for an Scottsdale cosmetic dentist. He has been a guest dental lecturer for over 15 years.
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