“Ninety per cent of the diseases known to man are caused by cheap foodstuffs. You are what you eat.”
This is what nutritionist Victor Lindlah said in 1923. And surprisingly enough, this quote can be applied today!
Whatever food we take in, whether they are healthy or not can affect our health. And this includes our dental health.
As our gums and teeth are part of our body, they need to be nourished and protected. Too often we disregard our health by consuming foods that are not healthy for our body and that impact our dental health.
The relationship between diet and dental hygiene
For some people, they think dental care begins and ends with good dental hygiene. While hygiene is very important, it should go hand in hand with a healthy diet.
Here at Dental Care Group, the health of your teeth is our main concern.
That’s why we want to educate people that taking care of your dental health should not only be about brushing and flossing, but also about eating food that is good for the body – including our mouths.
What is tooth remineralisation and demineralisation?
It has been proven time and again that having a healthier diet can affect in the body in so many positive ways.
But nowadays, people’s diets are laden with over processed food with high GI (glycemic index).
While dabbing in food with high glycemic index can feel almost inevitable in certain situations, it is best to avoid them as they affect the teeth’s remineralisation and demineralisation processes.
Tooth remineralisation
Tooth remineralisation naturally happens in our oral cavities. It involves calcium and phosphate ions and they are deposited into our enamels.
Tooth demineralisation
Demineralisation, on the other hand, is the process of removing minerals like calcium from the enamel, dentine, and cementum.
When we consume food that is bad for our teeth, they are affecting these two processes.
When that occurs, it can lead to tooth decay, tartar buildup, and other dental problems.
It’s easy to avoid these potential dental problems. All you have to do is stick to a healthy, well balanced diet, practice good oral hygiene and pay a trusty dental clinic like Dental Care Group a regular visit.
What foods are good for my teeth?
Eating healthy does not mean depriving yourself of all the good stuff. It’s just a matter of knowing what’s good and bad for the body and ultimately your teeth and gums.
Here’s a good example: cheese.
Let’s face it, we all love cheese! Who doesn’t love the gooey goodness of cheese?
Did you know that cheese can help prevent cavities?
When you munch on cheese, your mouth creates saliva, increases its pH level, and begins to remineralise. What a win!
Apart from cheese, there are a lot of other yummy and indulgent foods out there that are good for your teeth. Just as we mentioned above, eating healthy does not mean giving up the good stuff…
You can still indulge in your favorite chocolate but make sure it’s the dark variety (with at least a minimum of 70% cocoa). And you can still savour the delectable taste of wild salmon (and other fatty fish like tuna).
In between these delicious treats, don’t forget to up your veggie intake (broccoli, spinach and celery) and continue eating fruits like apples, berries, and avocado.
All of these fruits and vegetables promote remineralisation!
More foods that are good for oral health include:
- Yoghurt
- Almonds
- Bell peppers
- Kale
- Black and green tea
- Milk
- And, if you want to believe this study… red wine!
A healthy diet keeps dental diseases away
At first glance, it may seem difficult to follow a healthy diet with all the sweet, sugary treats tempting us. However, the more you practice it, the more you will realise how beneficial it is for complete health.
As for your dental health, the more conscious you are of what you eat, the healthier your gums and teeth will be. Staying away from processed foods will help protect your teeth from developing cavities and other oral diseases.
To make sure that your dental health is up to par, we also recommend visiting your dentist every six months.
If you’re looking for an experienced local dentist dedicated to the complete oral care of your whole family, look no further than Dental Care Group! Our principal dentist and team of hygienists will help you understand oral health through education and care.
Find out how we work, and book an initial consultation with the team today!
