Diet and Oral Health

Your body is like a complex machine. The foods you choose as fuel and how often you “fill up” affect your general health and that of your teeth and gums. Ottawa family dentists are concerned that their patients are consuming record numbers of sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snacks that affect their teeth. These items generally have little if any nutritional value and over time they can take a toll on teeth.

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 can you do?

• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Make sure water is readily available.
• Limit the number of between-meal snacks. When you must snack, choose nutritious foods that are low in sugar.
• Brush thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste that has the Canadian Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance.
• Floss or use another kind of inter-dental brush daily to remove plaque (a thin film of bacteria) from under the gums and between teeth.
• Schedule regular dental visits for checkups and cleanings with you Ottawa family dentist.
• Keep a food diary for a week. Record every item you eat and drink, including hard candies or chewing gum that contains sugar. Compare the diary to the food Pyramid recommendations.