Did you know that what you eat affects your oral health? A healthy diet is essential for overall health and well-being, including oral health. Poor nutrition can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Conversely, a good diet can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. In this blog post, we will discuss the effects of diet on oral health. We will also list some of the best and worst foods for oral health.
Nutrients for Good Oral Health
The nutrients that are essential for good oral health include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin K.
Calcium
Calcium is necessary for strong teeth and bones. Calcium is also one of the main components of tooth enamel. Good sources of calcium include milk, cheese, and yogurt.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is another mineral that is necessary for strong teeth and bones. It also helps to harden tooth enamel. Good sources of phosphorus include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Potassium
Potassium is a mineral that helps to keep teeth and gums healthy. It also helps to neutralize the acids in the mouth that can lead to cavities. Good sources of potassium include fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is necessary for the production of saliva, which helps to keep the mouth moist and clean. It also helps to protect against gum disease since it supports soft tissue health. Good sources of vitamin A include milk, cheese, and eggs.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to protect against gum disease. It also helps to heal wounds in the mouth. Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, lemons, and tomatoes.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium. It also helps to keep teeth and gums healthy. Good sources of vitamin D include milk, fortified cereals, and fatty fish such as salmon.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is necessary for the production of saliva. It also helps to protect against gum disease. It also produces a protein called osteocalcin, which is used to maintain bone tissue. Good sources of vitamin K include dark leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale.
Nutrients for Bad Oral Health
The nutrients that are bad for oral health include sugar, acid, and starch.
Sugar
Sugar is a leading cause of cavities. It also promotes the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Sources of sugar include candy, cookies, cake, and soda.
Acid
Acid can erode tooth enamel. It also promotes the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Sources of acid include citrus fruits and juices, sports drinks, and sodas.
Starch
Starch can promote the growth of bacteria in the mouth. It can also lead to cavities. Sources of starch include bread, pasta, and rice.
The Best & Worst Foods for Oral Health
The best foods for oral health are those that are low in sugar and acid, and high in calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. These include milk, cheese, yogurt, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and fortified cereals.
The worst foods for oral health are those that are high in sugar and acid, and low in calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. These include candy, cookies, cake, soda, citrus fruits and juices, sports drinks, bread, pasta, and rice.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, diet plays a significant role in oral health. A healthy diet is essential for strong teeth and bones, and can help to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Conversely, a poor diet can lead to these problems. In this blog, we have listed nutrients and foods that are essential for oral health, as well as nutrients and foods that can threaten your oral health.
Dr. Gerald Sisko graduated from Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1987. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Ohio Dental Association, and the Akron Dental Society where he is currently holding a council position. He has had the honor and distinction of being awarded “TOP DENTIST” in Akron and Cleveland as well as Northeast Ohio for the last several consecutive years.
