Dietary Advice
Having a nutritional diet that looks after your teeth and gums will go a long way towards fostering a healthy lifestyle.
For more information about a healthy diet for teeth and gums, book an appointment with our Friendly Dentist in Molonglo Valley – contact Molonglo Dental Surgery at 02 6287 1222.
At Molonglo Dental Surgery, we believe in preventative care as the first line of defence against any potential dental ailments. As part of our active oral care and maintenance program, we offer dietary advice to people of all age groups, to help foster positive eating patterns that lead to strong, beautiful and healthy teeth and gums for life.
Besides providing some helpful advice about nutrition to people who find themselves prone to getting cavities and tooth decay – two of the biggest dental ailments – we also make use of well-researched dietary information to help our patients fight gum problems, which has been linked to many general health issues, including diabetes and stroke.
If you are looking for a professional dental partner on your dietary journey to better dental and oral healthcare, look no further than Molonglo Dental Surgery.
To book an appointment with our Friendly Dentist in Molonglo Valley, contact Molonglo Dental Surgery at 02 6287 1222.
How Your Diet Affects Your Dental Health
The food you consume passes through the mouth. The bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar and carbohydrates. The more food you eat that contains sugar and carbohydrates, the more the bacteria gets fed – and grows in your mouth.
From the bacteria feeding on the sugar and carbohydrates is a leftover acid residue known as plaque. If you don’t clean your teeth after every meal, it doesn’t take long for plaque to get busy on destroying your tooth enamel.
It is therefore safe to conclude that people with large amounts of plaque build-up: Do NOT regularly clean their teeth and gums after meals; consume food and drinks that contain excessive sugar and carbohydrates; or both.
The two most common oral diseases are Tooth Decay and Periodontal Disease (gum disease), both of which are closely linked to your eating habits. Both diseases occur as the result of oral bacteria creating acid that destroys your tooth enamel – attacking the hard and soft tissues inside your mouth. If not directly attacking your tooth enamel, it’s like they are directly attacking the supportive tissues surrounding your teeth, leading to gum problems.
To avoid plaque build-up and oral bacterial attacks, you will need to eat foods that result in lower acid production, not to mention properly cleaning your teeth after every meal.
Eat your way to better health
Here we provide you with two lists: The types of food to avoid eating and those that are good for your teeth and gums.
Food to avoid
Sugary Foods: As mentioned, the bacteria in our mouths feed on sugar and create plaque.
Processed Foods: Processed foods contain additives – including refined sugars, oils, and processed white flour – that can be bad for your teeth.
Packaged Foods: Their shelf life is sustained using a range of chemicals and additives to make them last longer. These elements can hinder your body’s natural ability to absorb the nutrients your teeth and gums need.
Food that are good for your teeth and gums
Fruits: They provide a lot of healthy nutrients that we all need, but it’s important to note that fruits contain fructose, which is still sugar, so make sure to clean your teeth after consumption.
Vegetables: Leafy greens, celery and carrots can positively impact your oral health. Greens provide calcium and vitamin B that boosts the health of tooth enamel. Celery is particularly good for your gums.
For more information about a healthy diet for teeth and gums, book an appointment with our Friendly Dentist in Molonglo Valley – contact Molonglo Dental Surgery at 02 6287 1222.
