Good Oral Health Linked to Your Diet

Did you know that good oral health is linked to your diet? Smiles by Lorino Orthodontics near Summit say to prevent cavitiesand maintain good oral health examine your diet — what you eat and how often you eat — are important factors. Dr. Smiles by Lorino says changes in your mouth start the minute you eat certain foods. Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars and carbohydrates from the foods you eat to acids, and it’s the acids that begin to attack the enamel on teeth, starting the decay process. Dr. Lorino warns the more often you eat and snack, the more frequently you are exposing your teeth to the cycle of decay or cavities.

Smiles by Lorino Orthodontics recommends certain foods that will keep your mouth healthy. The best food choices for the health of your mouth include cheeses, chicken or other meats, nuts, and milk. These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited in tooth enamel after being removed by acids).

Other food choices that Smiles by Lorino Orthodontics includes are firm/crunchy fruits (for example, apples and pears) and vegetables. Dr. Lorino tells us that these foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain, and stimulate the flow of saliva (which helps protect against decay by washing away food particles and buffering acid). All of the food items are available in or near Summit. Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and lemons, should be eaten as part of a larger meal to minimize the acid from them.

Smiles by Lorino Orthodontics says it is common sense that some poor food choices include candy — such as lollipops, hard candies, and mints — cookies, cakes, pies, breads, muffins, potato chips, pretzels, french fries, bananas, raisins, and other dried fruits. Dr. Lorino warns that these foods contain large amounts of sugar and/or can stick to teeth, providing a fuel source for bacteria. In addition, cough drops should be used only when necessary as they, like sugary candy, contribute to tooth decay.

If you’re looking for good beverage choices, the best choice is water (especially fluoridated water). Dr. Lorino says milk, and unsweetened tea are also good but Limit your consumption of sugar-containing drinks, including soft drinks, lemonade, and coffee or tea with added sugar. Smiles by Lorino Orthodontics recommends limiting your expose of sugary substances to your teeth.

The team at Smiles by Lorino Orthodontics is always available to answer any questions regarding your oral health. Contact us at our office near Summit to get the best oral advice. We work hard on giving you the best smile!