DENTAL HEALTH
CONSUME PLENTY OF
· Calcium-rich foods, such as low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
· Fresh fruits and vegetables for vitamins A and C, and for chewing in order to promote healthy gums.
· Tea, which is a good source of fluoride
LIMIT
· Dried fruits and other sticky foods that lodge between the teeth.
AVOID
· Sweet drinks and snacks.
· Steady sipping of acidic drinks for prolonged periods.
In addition to brushing and flossing, a healthful diet ( with natural or added fluoride) protects teeth from decay and keeps the gums healthy. Tooth decay (cavities and dental caries) and gum disease are caused by colonies of bacteria that constantly coat the teeth with a sticky film called plaque. If plaque is not brushed away, these bacteria break down the sugars and starches in foods to produce acids that wear away the tooth enamel. The plaque also hardens into tartar, which can lead to gum inflammation or gingivitis.
A well-balanced diet provides the minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients essential for healthy teeth and gums. Fluoride, occurring naturally in foods and water, or added to the water supply, can be a powerful tool in fighting decay. It can reduce the rate of cavities by as much as 60 percent.
DENTAL HEALTH GUIDELINES
Start right by eating right during pregnancy
Make sure that your children’s teeth get off to a good start by eating sensibly during pregnancy. Particularly important is calcium, which helps to from strong teeth and bones, and vitamin D, which the body needs to absorb calcium.
YOUR NEED LOTS OF CALCIUM FOR HEALTHY TEETH AND GUMS
Low-fat dairy products, fortified soy and rice beverages, canned salmon or sardines(with bones), almonds, and dark green leafy vegetables are excellent sources of calcium.
ALSO NEEDED ARE PHOSPHORUS, MAGNESIUM, VITAMIN A, AND BTA CAROTENE
In addition to calcium and fluoride, minerals needed for the formation of tooth enamel include phosphorus and magnesium. Vitamin A also helps build strong bones and teeth. Good sources of beta carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A, include orange-colored fruits and vegetables and the dark green leafy vegetables.
Children are particularly vulnerable to tooth decay; parents should;
· Provide a good diet throughout childhood;
· Brush children’s teeth until they’re mature enough to do a thorough job by themselves
· Supervise twice-daily brushing and flossing thereafter;
· Never put babies or toddlers to bed accompanied by a bottle of milk, juice, or other sweet drink;
· Never dip pacifiers in honey or syrup.
THE SUGAR FACTOR
Sucrose, most familiar to us as granulated sugar, is the leading cause of tooth decay, but it is far from the only culprit. When starches mix with amylase, an enzyme in saliva, the result is an acid bath that erodes the enamel and makes teeth more susceptible to decay. If starchy foods linger in the mouth, the acid bath is prolonged, and the potential for damage is all the greater.
HELPFUL FOODS
You can protect your teeth by concluding meals with foods that do not promote cavities and may even prevent them. For instance, aged cheeses help prevent cavities if consumed at the end of a meal. Rinsing your mouth and brushing your teeth after eating are important strategies to prevent cavities.
GUM DISEASE
More teeth are lost through gum disease than through tooth decay. Gum disease is likely to strike anyone who neglects oral hygiene or eats a poor diet. Particularly at risk are people with
Alcoholism malnutrition, or AIDS/HIV infection or who are being treated with steroid drugs or certain cancer chemotherapies. Regular brushing and flossing help to prevent puffy, sore and inflamed gums.
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