DIET FOR A HEALTHY MOUTH

The food you eat affects the health of your mouth as well as your overall health. The mouth, teeth, and gums need adequate hygiene and nutrition to remain healthy. Selecting a diet that promotes a healthy mouth is important. Here's why.

Invisible germs called bacteria live in your mouth all the time. When teeth are not cleaned after eating, a sticky film of bacteria called plaque forms and covers the teeth. Plaque bacteria thrive on sugars and starches found in many foods and produce acid. These acids are strong enough to dissolve the hard enamel that covers teeth. This is how cavities get started.

There are three ways to improve the health of your mouth and avoid the build-up of plaque bacteria. They are:

brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss between your teeth once a day
visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings and
eat foods wisely (eat a balanced diet and limit snacking between meals)

Foods that contain sugars or starches include fruits, milk, bread, cereals, and even vegetables. Tooth decay is promoted by food that clings to your teeth. Choose dentally healthy snack foods such as nuts, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese, and sugarless gum or candy. Avoid soft, sweet, sticky foods, such as cakes, candy, and dried fruits. High sugar beverages (such as beer, soda, and fruit juices) also promote tooth decay.

Research shows a link between the health of your mouth and other physical conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Avoid fad diets that limit or eliminate entire food groups. Eat a well-balanced diet by selecting a variety of foods to minimize the risk of eating a diet with vitamin or mineral deficiencies. People who eat inadequate amounts of calcium and vitamin C have higher rates of gum disease. Include foods from all four basic food groups to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease and reduce the risk for other diseases. Foods from the four food groups include fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, meat, chicken, fish, and beans.

Mealtime eating includes combining foods (or eating many foods) during the meal. Combinations of foods neutralize acids in the mouth and stimulate saliva production. Consequently tooth decay is inhibited. Saliva protects the gums and teeth. More saliva is produced during mealtimes than when snacking. To stimulate saliva production in a dry mouth, keep your mouth moist with water and supplement your diet with sugarless candy and sugarless gum.

Remember, selecting a diet that promotes a healthy mouth is important to your total health. For more information visit the websites of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry at www.ada.org and www.agd.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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