Dental diet
By Jen Christensen
Posted: Friday, April 25, 2008 at 10:19 a.m.
Diet and the Teeth
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on teeth. Bacteria live in the plaque and feed off the sugars and starches in food. As the bacteria digest the food, an acid is produced. This acid can eat away at the tooth enamel and lead to the formation of a hole, or cavity.
Many of the foods we eat contain sugar and starch. Some foods are obviously high in sugar, like candy and cookies. However, sugar can be found in other “non-sweet” foods, like breads and crackers. Sugars are also added to some packaged foods, like peanut butter and condiments, to enhance taste.
An important source of sugar in many American diets is soda. Researchers estimate Americans drink more than 50 gallons of soda each year. Diet sodas are not necessarily any better because soft drinks have a low pH, which can lead to erosion of tooth enamel. In fact, research shows cola drinks have ten times the erosive power of orange juice. Sports drinks and high-energy drinks also have a low pH and added sugars, and thus, may be as bad for the teeth as sodas. Another study found canned iced tea to be also very erosive. On the other hand, milk and cheese appears to protect the enamel and reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Diet can also sometimes influence the health of gums. When plaque accumulates on the teeth, it can damage the tissue at the gum line and lead to the formation of tiny pockets between the teeth and the gums. As the condition progresses, the pockets get bigger. Eventually, the supporting structures for the teeth may be damaged and the tooth may fall out. Early stages of gum disease (called gingivitis) are characterized by tender, red, puffy gums that bleed easily. Periodontitis is the progressive form of gum disease, marked by tissue damage, weakening of structural support and eventual destruction of underlying bone and loss of teeth.
Prevention
Jonathan Abenaim, D.M.D., reminds patients the mouth is the entryway to the body and is impacted by everything we eat. He recommends everyone follow a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products.
Enamel erosion from diet can often be prevented. The longer sugars stay on the teeth, the greater the risk of enamel loss. Try to avoid soda and limit the amount of sports drinks and acidic fruit juices you drink. If you must drink a sugary beverage, try to limit the amount of time the drink comes in contact with the teeth (i.e., don’t sip it all day long). Drinking sodas and juices through a straw also limits the amount of contact with the teeth. Don’t eat sticky, sugary foods because the sugars get stuck to the teeth for long periods of time.
Abenaim also recommends rinsing the mouth with water after eating or drinking sugary beverages. Brush teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and floss daily.
Saliva is a natural rinse for the bacteria that cause tooth decay. People with dry mouth, or those who don’t produce enough saliva may need to chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production or use mouth rinses.
By Jen Christensen
Posted: Friday, April 25, 2008 at 10:19 a.m.
Diet and the Teeth
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on teeth. Bacteria live in the plaque and feed off the sugars and starches in food. As the bacteria digest the food, an acid is produced. This acid can eat away at the tooth enamel and lead to the formation of a hole, or cavity.
Many of the foods we eat contain sugar and starch. Some foods are obviously high in sugar, like candy and cookies. However, sugar can be found in other “non-sweet” foods, like breads and crackers. Sugars are also added to some packaged foods, like peanut butter and condiments, to enhance taste.
An important source of sugar in many American diets is soda. Researchers estimate Americans drink more than 50 gallons of soda each year. Diet sodas are not necessarily any better because soft drinks have a low pH, which can lead to erosion of tooth enamel. In fact, research shows cola drinks have ten times the erosive power of orange juice. Sports drinks and high-energy drinks also have a low pH and added sugars, and thus, may be as bad for the teeth as sodas. Another study found canned iced tea to be also very erosive. On the other hand, milk and cheese appears to protect the enamel and reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Diet can also sometimes influence the health of gums. When plaque accumulates on the teeth, it can damage the tissue at the gum line and lead to the formation of tiny pockets between the teeth and the gums. As the condition progresses, the pockets get bigger. Eventually, the supporting structures for the teeth may be damaged and the tooth may fall out. Early stages of gum disease (called gingivitis) are characterized by tender, red, puffy gums that bleed easily. Periodontitis is the progressive form of gum disease, marked by tissue damage, weakening of structural support and eventual destruction of underlying bone and loss of teeth.
Prevention
Jonathan Abenaim, D.M.D., reminds patients the mouth is the entryway to the body and is impacted by everything we eat. He recommends everyone follow a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products.
Enamel erosion from diet can often be prevented. The longer sugars stay on the teeth, the greater the risk of enamel loss. Try to avoid soda and limit the amount of sports drinks and acidic fruit juices you drink. If you must drink a sugary beverage, try to limit the amount of time the drink comes in contact with the teeth (i.e., don’t sip it all day long). Drinking sodas and juices through a straw also limits the amount of contact with the teeth. Don’t eat sticky, sugary foods because the sugars get stuck to the teeth for long periods of time.
Abenaim also recommends rinsing the mouth with water after eating or drinking sugary beverages. Brush teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and floss daily.
Saliva is a natural rinse for the bacteria that cause tooth decay. People with dry mouth, or those who don’t produce enough saliva may need to chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production or use mouth rinses.
posted by Jonathan M. Abenaim DMD at
1:36 PM
2 Comments:
Having dental implants is not really a happy thing. Aside from spending money I needed to undergo dental procedures which had pain. And that's because of my addiction to candies and chocolates.
It is very important to always maintain a healthy diet, proper hygiene, and regular visits to the dentist. Eating foods that are rich in sugar is a daily part of life for most people, and I personally believe that we can prevent its bad effects by taking good care of our teeth. My dentist in Jackson, TN always gives me excellent dental service and preventive tips in keeping my teeth healthy.
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