For good oral health it is not enough just to check-up your dental health once a year with your dentist, to maintain regular dental hygiene at least twice a day, but it is also very important that you eat right. Proper nutrition is important, both for general health and for the health of our teeth.
Facts
The World Health Organization has, in recent years, come up with some disturbing findings. Their experts have conducted an expedition in some less explored parts of the world in order to meet with the families who live there and to check their general health. Examining the mouth and teeth of these “primitive” people, they came to the conclusion that less than 5% of people there have problems with diseases of the mouth and teeth. On the other side our “modern” society is now faced with a rapidly growing problem of dental diseases. Gingivitis, caries, periodontal diseases are so common that according to some recent studies, about 95% of the world’s population has some of these problems.
Our mouth is inhabited by numerous species of bacteria that constantly reproduce, and today’s way of nutrition, food that is rich in carbohydrates, provides these bacteria with enough food. Five minutes after teeth brushing bacteria begin to form colonies. Clusters of these bacteria colonies and their metabolites are called dental plaque, which eventually leads to caries, and later periodontal disease, dental supporting apparatus and crooked teeth. This does not mean that you have to wash your teeth every hour. It is recommended that we clean our teeth twice a day. Also, using only the brush is not enough. It is recommended to use inter-dental brushes, various types of dental floss and various means of controlling bacteria in the mouth (rinse waters …). In some extreme cases, orthodontists in Sydney suggest braces, saying: “In cases where your dental issues have advanced so far they causes misalignment even in adulthood, braces are advised as a primary orthodontic solution.”
Certainly these means are not omnipotent and the best way to fight tooth decay and diseases of other tissues in the mouth, in addition to hygiene should be properly adequate (balanced) diet. Diet that is rich in fresh foods, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, provide health not only your teeth but also for the entire body.
Nutrition
A healthy diet for your teeth, intake of mineral salts of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, fluorine, as well as the necessary vitamins leads to better teeth. Poor diet, i.e. intake of inadequate food, deficiency of vitamins and minerals cause serious structural changes on dental tissues, and bacteria in the mouth creates an acidic environment in which dental plaque is created. These bad foods are foods that contain sugar and starch, snacks, lollipops, candies, chocolates, sweets, various soft drinks, etc.
Foods that you need to eat for good general health and for the health and the strength of the teeth are vegetables, fruit, cheese, yogurt, milk products. Very important for the proper development of teeth are vitamin C and calcium. Vitamin C plays an important role in the regeneration of connective tissue, and has antioxidant effects. Calcium is an important constituent of bones, so that is why its intake is necessary for their good mineralization. Daily consumption of dairy products will give you enough calcium for proper development of your teeth.
The modern diet contributes to the creation of caries even when you take care about preventive hygiene measures. However, if we reduce the intake of sugar and other refined carbohydrates and we take more care about our oral hygiene, we will significantly reduce the risk of caries and other diseases.
Healthy teeth are a prerequisite for general health and the satisfaction of each of us. Everyday care, proper nutrition and regular dental control can contribute to your healthy and beautiful smile.
By Derek Lotts | [email protected]
