Jarred K. Donald, DDS
16631 Coit Rd #114
Dallas, TX 75248
972-818-4300
888-49-SMILE
Patient Education - General Dentist Information in Dallas
Nutrition and Your Teeth
It has long been known that good nutrition and a well-balanced diet is
one of the best defenses for your oral health. Providing your body with
the right amounts of vitamins and minerals helps your teeth and gums-as
well as your immune system-stay strong and ward off infection, decay
and disease.
Harmful acids and bacteria in your mouth are left behind from
eating foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. These include carbonated
beverages, some kinds of fruit juices, and many kinds of starch foods
like pasta, bread and cereal. While no links have been actually made
between gum disease and a poor diet, nutrition problems (including
obesity and overeating) can create conditions that make gum disease
easier to contract.
Children's Nutrition and Teeth
Good eating habits that begin in early childhood can go a long way to ensuring a lifetime of good oral health.
Children should eat foods rich in calcium and other kinds of
minerals, as well as a healthy balance of the essential food groups
like vegetables, fruits, dairy products, poultry and meat. Fluoride
supplements may be helpful if you live in a community without
fluoridated water, but consult with our office first. (Be aware that
sugars are even found in some kinds of condiments, as well as fruits
and even milk.)
Allowing your children to eat excessive amounts of junk food
(starches and sugars)-including potato chips, cookies, crackers, soda,
even artificial fruit rollups and granola bars-only places them at risk
for serious oral health problems down the road, including obesity,
osteoporosis and diabetes. The carbonation found in soda, for example,
can actually erode tooth enamel. Encourage your child to use a straw
when drinking soda; this will help keep at least some of the carbonated
beverage away from the teeth.
Adult Nutrition and Teeth
There's no discounting the importance of continuing a healthy balanced diet throughout your adult life.
If you develop a weight problem, change your diet and get
regular exercise. Be aware that some so-called fad diets have been
known to cause serious deficiencies in recommended levels of minerals
and vitamins.
Of course, good oral hygiene helps ensure that harmful bacteria and
plaque-the sticky substance that coats your teeth during sleep and
after meals-are effectively minimized. Adults also are encouraged to
avoid eating sticky foods such as caramels and dried fruits because
they leave behind stubborn substances on teeth and only encourage
needless plaque formation.
Return to | Tooth Care