Tooth Decay And Periodontal Disease Are Directly Related To Your Diet

Tooth decay and gum disease are not accidental - they are the direct result of your diet and your dental care habits. Are your teeth and gum healthy? If so, then you probably follow a common sense diet that promotes oral health. If you're teeth and gum isn't healthy, then maybe it's time you start taking care of them by following a proper diet.

When you chew food, it encounters the good and bad bacteria that live inside your mouth. That bacteria feed on sugar and carbohydrates; in essence, when you eat, the bacteria get to eat as well. The byproduct of bacteria feeding on sugar is called plaque. The acidic substance will immediately start to erode your tooth enamel as well as attack the soft and hard tissues supporting your teeth. Plaque is the scourge of oral health! Preventing the accumulation of plaque and removing it when it does occur are the two battles against tooth decay that must be fought on a daily basis. The two easy solutions are to eat foods that promote a healthy mouth and to brush your teeth after every meal.

Since the bacteria thrive on sugar and starches, it's obviously a good idea to avoid foods high in those two items. Ideally, a person that wanted perfect oral health would simply avoid foods high in sugar and starch, such as donuts, breads, sugary drinks, milk, and cereals. Those are just a few different types of foods that are high in carbohydrates. Unless you are a Hindu holy man, the chances of following a perfect diet for oral health are slim to none. Instead, use common sense: eat foods that promote healthy teeth and gum, and eat sugary, carbohydrate-loaded foods sparingly.

Snacking on foods in-between meals has long been considered an unhealthy activity for your teeth and gum. Do you know why? I always thought it related to the types of snacks you are eating, such as a candy bar or some other form of sugary treat. Sure, sugary foods aren't the wisest choice when it comes to snacking, but the type of food isn't the primary concern. 

The trouble with snacking in-between meals is that you're not eating very much food and your mouth produces a minimal amount of saliva. Saliva is a heavy-hitter against bacteria and plaque buildup - the more saliva inside your mouth, the more bacteria gets prohibited from eating sugar and producing plaque. Compared to eating a large meal that has a variety of foods, snacking is bad simply from the perspective of saliva production. A large meal will induce plenty of saliva in your mouth, and that is a positive, healthy environment that naturally prevents plaque production.

There are two diseases that result from poor diet and poor dental care: gum disease (periodontal disease) and tooth decay. Excess plaque that remains unchecked will destroy your tooth enamel and will also attack your hard and soft supportive tissues that surround your teeth. If you can avoid certain food groups altogether, your teeth and gum will certainly appreciate it. And you should always clean your teeth and gum after every meal. Brushing your teeth five times a day might seem like a hassle, but it's the only way to achieve optimal oral health short of visiting your dentist once a month for teeth cleaning.

It's been scientifically proven that poor oral health is closely associated with a weakened immune system. In fact, poor oral health appears to be a direct result of a weakened immune system. The best way to strengthen your immune system is to maintain a healthy diet of vitamin rich foods that are low in sugar content.

Water consumption is also a critical component of healthy teeth and gum. When your body is properly hydrated, your mouth maintains normal levels of saliva, and saliva is one of your natural defenses against plaque and tooth decay.

The above suggestions aren't that difficult to adopt. If you want a healthy mouth, follow them! It's also highly recommended that you seek advice from a licensed professional before you make any changes to your diet or your dental care routine.