How Diet can Impact your Oral Health

When you eat and drink, what you consume affects the health of your mouth. Interestingly, this is a bidirectional relationship: the health of your mouth also has an impact on the nutrients you consume. Sugary or acidic foods can be harmful to your teeth, while a nutrient-dense diet is beneficial and can actually help prevent gum disease. By making the right choices, you can improve the health of your mouth, which will, in turn, allow you to continue to eat nutritious food.

Food and Tooth Decay

You have no doubt heard that sugary foods cause tooth decay, and that is certainly true. However, it is important to note that this doesn’t just mean candy and sweets. Most processed foods are high in sugar, and some of the most common dental sources of sugar include things like breakfast cereal and yogurt. Your best bet, to avoid sugar, is to eat whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Of course, you don’t have to avoid sugar entirely to have a healthy mouth. If you are going to eat something sweet, eat it with a meal, and drink water to help rinse sugar out of your mouth.

How to Snack

It’s generally acknowledged that eating three meals a day is better than snacking throughout the day. When you eat a full meal, your mouth produces more saliva, and this helps limit the damage that can be done to your teeth. If you do snack, choose your snacks wisely, eating fruit, vegetables, cheese, or nuts. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Note: you don’t need to brush after snacks, or even after every meal. Acidic food and sugar can weaken the enamel on your teeth, so if you brush your teeth immediately after eating these foods, you will further damage the enamel. If you are concerned about your breath, chew sugar free gum, which has been shown to help prevent tooth decay.

What About Drinks?

As mentioned, you should be drinking water all day, to stay hydrated and keep your mouth healthy. Milk is also a good option, because it can help strengthen your enamel and prevent tooth decay. Fruit juices are acidic and contain sugar, so they are not the best choice for good oral health. Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks, which can be very damaging and cause tooth decay.

Partner with Park 56 to Protect Your Oral Health

If you live in New York and you are looking for a dentist to help you maintain good oral health, why not choose the dentist voted best in the city? At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. Located in the 10022 zip code, we serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online.