When you think about the word diet, losing weight may come to mind. Or maybe thoughts of which foods are best, as in a balanced or healthy diet. Most people don’t automatically think about their oral health and how it relates to what we eat. I’m Dr. James Stewart, and I’m one of the few who do think about oral health in relation to diet.
Before food ever reaches your stomach, it affects the balance in your mouth. Sugars and starches are converted into acids when they enter the mouth, and these acids are the main cause of tooth decay (cavities). Many health experts tell us to eat small meals often rather than a few large meals in a day. While this is good for our metabolism, it’s not ideal for our mouths unless – unless you eat foods that are low in starch and sugar, and you rinse your mouth with water after eating.
Best foods for oral health include cheese, meats, milk, and nuts because they contain calcium and phosphorus, minerals necessary for remineralization of teeth. Remineralization is the process of restoring minerals to tooth enamel. Acids eat away the minerals, remineralization replenishes them.
You’ve heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away? Not only are apples and crunchy fruits and veggies good for your bodily health, they’re also good for your mouth. These foods have a lot of water in them to dilute their sugars. Water also promotes saliva production, and saliva equalizes acids while rinsing away food particles so that they don’t sit on teeth and cause demineralization. (more…)
