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Nutrition
A healthy diet and good nutrition are essential for good oral health and
overall health.
FAQs
How do the foods and beverages I consume
affect my oral health?
Each time you eat or drink anything with sugar, the bacteria already
present in your mouth and sugar combine to produce harmful acids that
attack the teeth for at least 20 minutes. After repeat attacks, teeth
are susceptible to tooth decay. Soda, whether it is regular soda
containing sugar or diet sugar-free soda, is high in acid content and
contributes to the decalcification and erosion of enamel.
Do I need to toss everything from my
pantry that contains sugar?
No. Almost everything, including vegetables, contains some form of
sugar, and many of these foods offer important nutrients key to a
balanced diet. Read the labels on foods and beverages and reduce the
amount you consume that contain added sugars, such as soda, candy and
cookies.
What can I do to maintain a balanced
diet and good oral health?
PDA offers the following tips to help maintain a
balanced diet:
- Eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups (grains,
dairy, fruits, vegetables and meat/poultry/fish).
- Keep snacking to a minimum. If you are hungry between meals, choose
nutritious snacks over snacks that are high in sugar.
- Instead of soda, choose beverages that hydrate and contribute to
good health, such as water. Drinking eight to 12 cups of water a day is
important and consuming optimally fluoridated water helps prevent tooth
decay.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily to remove plaque, the sticky film of bacteria, which
gets stuck between the teeth and gums.
- Schedule regular checkups with the dentist at least every six
months.
Resources
American Dental Association: Diet and Oral
Health
Keep
a Watchful Eye on Sugary Beverage Consumption
The
Pennsylvania Dental Association Stresses Importance of Good
Nutrition
| nutrition, eating healthy, sugary beverages, snacking, soda, sugar |
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