DentistryHow Your Diet Affects Your Oral Hygiene

Making changes to your diet does a lot to improve your health, both physically and mentally, by aiding you to stay at a healthy weight and to feel more energized. While these might be the main reasons people want to move towards a healthier diet, they can also help improve your oral hygiene. Foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugars can have damaging impacts on your teeth, and below are examples of what kind of problems you might encounter if you have a poor diet, as well as some tips to help avoid them.

Tooth Decay

The most likely problem you will find with your teeth if you eat a high sugar and carb diet is tooth decay. This is because the sugars from these types of food are what the bacteria in your mouth thrive on, and they will then produce more acids which can cause rotten teeth. If you have noticed that your breath is bad, there are dark spots/stains on your teeth, or you are experiencing pain when you eat, drink, or brush your teeth, there’s a good chance you might already have some decaying teeth. See your dentist immediately to check this to help stop the spread and help you feel more comfortable.

Gum Disease

Another problem you may encounter with your oral hygiene due to a poor diet is gum disease. This could be due to your teeth already rotting, or it could be because you’re not getting the right nutrients to help keep your gums healthy, which will make them more susceptible to infection. If your gums are swollen and sore, or there is bleeding when you brush your teeth, these are signs of gum disease. This can be treated with antibiotics, provided you see your dentist before the condition worsens.

What Foods Are Good for Your Teeth and Gums?

Foods that are favorable to your oral health include leafy greens such as kale and spinach, nuts, fatty fish like salmon, and dairy products such as cheese, milk, and yogurt. Just make sure the yogurts you’re eating haven’t had a lot of sugars added to them as otherwise, this could have the opposite effect. Keeping yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water is also beneficial for your teeth. Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C are also foods you should be consuming, as these are particularly good for your gums. Citrus fruits are great for this, but just be mindful that they are also quite acidic, so too many of them might not be great for your teeth – consume these in moderation.

What Foods Should You Avoid?

If you want to maintain a healthy diet and avoid damaging your teeth, try to steer clear of very sugary foods such as sodas, cakes, chocolate, candy, potato chips, fries, pasta, bread, and alcohol. Having these things on occasion won’t do you any harm, but if they are regular features in your daily diet, that you might want to rethink this and start introducing more of the items listed above.

Your diet can do a lot to determine your general health, including the condition of your teeth and gums. Use the suggestions above to make some positive changes and see the difference it makes.