FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Blog Layout

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Diane Owner • December 28, 2023

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!

You’ve probably heard the saying; you are what you eat; well, that's particularly true for your teeth and gums.

The difference between a healthy smile and frequent visits to the dentist has a lot to do with your diet. Even with a good oral hygiene routine, it can still be hard to keep your teeth healthy over the long term.

So, which foods are best for teeth and gum health?

Some of the best foods for healthy teeth are fresh fruits and veggies because of their high nutritional value and added teeth cleaning benefits. Then, there’s calcium-rich foods, such as low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese, fortified soy drinks, tofu, canned salmon, almonds and dark green leafy vegetables that help promote strong teeth and bones. Eating crunchy foods gets the saliva going, which along with water, helps to wash away plaque causing bacteria and food particles.

Beware!

Those starchy or sugary foods we love, are also loved by the bacteria in your mouth that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods from all the food groups promotes healthy teeth and gums. This means maintaining a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein foods, calcium-rich foods and whole grains for a healthy smile as well as a healthy body.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Replacing And Disinfecting Your Toothbrush

By Diane Owner • April 11, 2024

How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush and Tips for Sanitizing Your Toothbrush

According To A Dentist, What Is The Worst Food Or Drink For Your Teeth?

By Diane Owner • April 4, 2024

What Is The Worst Food Or Drink For Your Teeth

Health * Diet * Dentistry

By Diane Owner • April 1, 2024

Poor diet is not only a key contributor to oral health and disease, but it is now considered the leading cause of death in the United States, having overtaken the decades-long reign of tobacco as leader. What we eat and how we eat it are critical to our health, well-being, and risk of developing a myriad of diseases. The importance of a healthy diet and disease control has long been recognized as an essential component of oral health care. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, a French lawyer and politician, is credited with the common idiom, “you are what you eat,” derived from his 1825 text, Physiologie du Goût, in which he stated, “Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.” The dental office can serve as a meaningful contact point to help reinforce the importance of a healthy diet and provide counseling to help with dietary issues relating to chronic oral disease and overall systemic health. The evidence is clear that diet is important in the development of chronic oral health conditions, including caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. Improving the health of patients through diet modification is certainly not a new concept in the oral health care environment. We routinely ask about dietary issues associated with caries and have discussions with patients about adopting alternatives to a more healthful dietary pattern. If we are what we eat, then oral health care providers have a responsibility and opportunity to help patients customize their diets so that what they eat helps them achieve what we all want to be—healthy.