Did you know that diet and your dental health are closely linked? Well, it is! In fact, obese people are 5.9 times more likely to develop periodontal disease than those who are at a healthy weight. This is not simply because they are obese. It is what they are eating that is causing obesity that plays an important role in dental health as well. But in what ways? What can help you get a healthy smile? Here's everything you need to know about healthy living and great oral health!
Foods Can Cause Tooth Decay There are many foods out there that can cause tooth decay. Most of the time, these foods all have one thing in common: They are full of sugar. Some popular foods to stay away from:
Processed foods like cookies
Candy
Gum with sugar in it
Soft drinks like soda and sugary drinks like lemonade
Talking with your dentist about which sugary foods to avoid the most is an important aspect of your dental health. Eat More Vegetables As great as fruit is for you, you do not want to overdo it. However, you can't really overdo vegetables as easily. For instance, eating a lot of fruit has a lot of sugar in it, which can erode your teeth, for starters. However, fruit usually contains a lot of acids as well, like oranges, peaches, grapefruits, grapes, and more. This acid can erode your teeth and damage them. This will wear the enamel on your teeth away. When that happens, the tooth can easily be worn away over time. Drink More Water Did you know that drinking more water can actually help you create a better smile? It can! Here's how. Water has natural fluoride in it. This means that it will strengthen your teeth over time when you drink water. Water also washes away the bad bacteria from sitting on your teeth. This can prevent cavities and tooth decay from occurring at a rapid rate. Skimping out on drinking water can also cause you to have a dry mouth. That's not fun within itself, but it can also cause more bacteria to build up because there is not as much saliva in your mouth. With saliva being 99% water, saliva is what helps keep your teeth strong with fluoride, calcium, and phosphates Have a Healthy Smile Everyone wants to have a healthy smile and knowing that your diet plays a huge role in that is the first step to getting one! If you are in the Ontario area, you may also want to schedule a dentist appointment to keep your teeth strong and healthy! At Westwood and Starwood Dental, we can help you with all your dental needs and answer any questions you may have about your dental health. Contact us today to make an appointment.