The Importance of Nutrition in Oral Health

It’s estimated that up to 90% of systemic diseases have oral manifestations, and your oral health has an impact on your overall well-being. This is because your mouth acts as a gateway to the rest of your body.

What Is Good Nutrition?

Good nutrition is eating the appropriate amounts of calories, carbohydrates, fats, and protein to maintain a healthy weight. Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean sources of protein will help ensure you’re feeding your body the nutrients it needs to function at its best.

A well-balanced diet can help protect your teeth from decay and gum disease. Foods that are high in sugar or acidity can be detrimental to your oral health. For example, excess sugar and acid can contribute to enamel erosion and increase the risk of tooth decay. Eating a healthy diet that includes lots of water in between meals and snacks can help keep your saliva levels at a healthy level. Saliva is important because it helps clean your mouth, neutralize acids, and wash away bacteria that can cause tooth decay.

Why Is Nutrition Important for Oral Health?

It’s been long established that a healthy, balanced diet is essential for overall health and well-being. Many of the same nutrients that are necessary for general health are also necessary for optimal oral health. A diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals and low in sugar and acid can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. In fact, the Academy of General Dentistry recommends avoiding sticky candies as they contribute to the development of cavities by sticking to teeth.

Consider these five things when thinking about your dental health and nutrition:

• Calcium is incredibly important for our bones as well as teeth. It’s necessary to strengthen and maintain tooth enamel and jawbones and prevent and reverse the effects of bone loss, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. In addition to leafy greens, dairy products like milk and cheese are excellent sources of calcium.
• Vitamin C is necessary for healing tissue in the body. It’s also a powerful antioxidant that helps combat cell damage and inflammation. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, red peppers, broccoli, spinach, and other dark leafy green vegetables.
• Vitamin D is important for bone health as it aids the body in absorbing calcium. It also helps regulate the immune system so your body can ward off infection. Sunlight is a great way to help naturally absorb vitamin D. Some foods known to be high in vitamin D are fatty fish, mushrooms, beef liver, cheese, eggs, and fortified milk and cereals.
• Vitamin A helps promote healthy soft tissue in the mouth and protects tooth enamel. It also promotes normal bone growth and prevents night blindness. Food sources of vitamin A include carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach, cantaloupe, apricots, and mangoes.
• Zinc is an important mineral for aiding in wound healing and repairing cells. 

For more information, visit Allen Creek Family Dentistry at 6618 64th St. NE, Suite C, Marysville, WA 98270, or call (360) 651-2900.