Diet and oral health important to a healthy life

  • Published
  • By Capt. Teneshia Nelson
  • 14th Medical Group Dental Clinic
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Your body is like a complex machine. The foods you choose as fuel and how often you "fill up" affect your general health, including your teeth and gums. Consuming large amounts of sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snacks can affect your teeth.

These items generally have little if any nutritional value and over time they can take a toll on your teeth. Eating patterns and food choices among children and teens are important factors that affect how quickly youngsters may develop tooth decay. When bacteria (plaque) come into contact with sugar in the mouth, acid is produced, which attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more. This can eventually result in tooth decay.

Almost all foods, including milk or vegetables, have some type of sugar. However, they shouldn't be removed from our diets because many of them contain important nutrients. Added sugars are often present in soft drinks, candy, cookies and pastries. To help control the amount of sugar you consume, read food labels and choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars.

If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection. This may contribute to periodontal (gum) disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Although poor nutrition does not cause periodontal disease directly, many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and could be more severe in people with nutrient-poor diets.

What are tips for better dental health?
1. For a balanced diet, eat a variety of foods. Choose foods from each of the five major food groups: breads, cereals and other grain products; fruits; vegetables; meat, poultry and fish; milk, cheese and yogurt.
2. Limit the number of snacks that you eat.
3. If you do snack, choose nutritious foods, such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, or a piece of fruit.
4. Foods that are eaten as part of a meal cause less harm. More saliva is released during meals, which helps wash foods from the mouth and helps lessen the effects of acids.
5. Chew sugarless gum (e.g., Trident, Icebreakers) containing Xylitol after meals.
6. Drink plenty of water.
7. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.
8. Clean between your teeth daily with floss.
9. Visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist can help prevent problems from occurring, and catch those that do occur while they are easy to treat.

If you have any questions, you may contact the 14th Medical Group Dental Clinic at 434-2250.