This article considers the relationship between oral hygiene and overall health. We also supply valuable information about a good oral hygiene routine and nutritional advice that contributes to healthy teeth!

Welcome back to the final instalment of this article series. In our previous post, we discussed the relationship between oral health and general health and how both can negatively affect the other. In this article, with the sound advice of a Colorado Springs dentist, we will be looking at the relationship between nutrition and oral health. There are foods that invite plaque and foods that fight plaque, and most of the foods that are good for your teeth are also great for your overall health; containing wonderful vitamins and nutrients for your whole body!

The Good

There is a great deal of wonderful, healthy food that will help you fight cavity-causing plaque. Try adding these to your next shopping list.

• Milk, plain yogurt, cheese and other dairy products: 99% of your body’s calcium reserves are stored in the bones and teeth, providing strong structural support. And products filled with calcium help put back minerals your teeth may have lost due to other foods.

• Fruits and veggies rich in fiber: Fiber rich foods help to stimulate saliva flow, which is your body’s best natural defense against the bacteria that cause cavities.

• Water: A healthy, daily intake of water does wonders for your entire body. Water promotes saliva production and washes away acids that can cause tooth enamel erosion. Basically a mouth that is moist is a healthy, happy mouth!

• Iron rich foods: Such as lean red meats, some nuts and cereals. An iron deficiency can lead to sores on the inside of your mouth and an inflamed tongue.

The Bad

The major cause of tooth decay and cavities is the breakdown of refined sugars by bacteria. Their acidic wastes attack the protective enamel covering your teeth, dissolving it. This is why frequent plaque removal is so important. Keep up a good home oral hygiene routine and visit your dentist for plaque removal and teeth whitening in Colorado Springs, to help you get a fresh start.

Interestingly, studies have shown that it is not necessarily the amount of sugar intake but the frequency of sugar intake that is important when considering damage to your teeth. If you are constantly sucking, chewing or eating high sugar-content foods, your mouth will consistently be under acid attack. Avoid this problem by avoiding sugar and acidic foods for longer periods of time; try to downscale on your sugar intake on a whole. Try choosing alternative snacks that aren’t as harmful to your teeth, a Colorado Springs dentist suggests: fruits, nuts, cheese and fresh vegetables.

Signing Off

In this article series we explored how your oral health is connected to your general health and furthermore how your diet can positively or negatively affect your oral health. With the help of a Colorado Springs dentist, we have identified the positive habits that can help improve your overall health! A balanced diet is important for keeping your bones and gums healthy. Foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin B12, folic acid and calcium are great for you for a variety of reasons. So, try to find out how you can incorporate these minerals and vitamins into your daily diet, for a better quality of life and a better quality of oral health!