Diet And Dental Health

Posted on 1/9/2023 by Dr. Jae Seon Kim

A poor diet has detrimental effects on your dental health. Excessive consumption of sugary foods and drinks leads to tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, lack of essential vitamins such as vitamin C contributes to the development of gingivitis.

It is also essential to consider how dental health may affect diet. This consideration is vital as excessive loss of teeth or dental problems causing pain when chewing may reduce nutritional intake and affect your overall health.

Sugary foods

Candy, cakes, desserts, and sweetened drinks are the main sources of sugar in your diet. The sugar contained in these foods usually lingers for a long time in the mouth, interacting with a plaque on the surface of our teeth to form bacteria that produce acid. The acid forms them and eats at the enamel of your teeth, making them brittle. Holes known as dental carriers are then formed on the teeth.

Acid rich foods

Fruits that contain citric acid, chewing tablets containing iron, and vitamin C chewable tablets contain high levels of acid. The acid contained in these substances weakens the teeth' enamel. Brushing your teeth immediately after their consumption will only worsen the situation as the enamel is already weak at this point.

Our experts recommend that you wait for at least half an hour before brushing your teeth after consuming acidic foods. You may also drink water as you wait. Water will help flush out the acids in your mouth before brushing.

Smoking

Cigarettes contain an element known as tar which stains your teeth, making them appear yellow. This reduces the attractiveness of your smile. In addition, smoking leads to bad breath, which is a major setback in achieving good dental hygiene. Drop by our offices to get more advice on what to limit in your diet to maintain good oral hygiene.

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Seattle, WA 98109-2700

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