Free Dieting Tips To Prevent Dental Problems

Millions of men and women cannot understand why they are being afflicted with oral health problems. They will tell you how diligently they brush their teeth in the morning and night and yet they are plagued by dental problems. What these people do not understand is that they are only taking care of cleaning part or oral health care.

Our food choices and how and when we eat them have a direct impact on our oral health.

The health of our teeth is also dependent upon the kind of foods we eat and for how long do we keep these foods in our mouth. Tooth decay and other oral diseases are likely to develop if someone eats too much of sugar in the form of sweets, chocolates, and cold drinks. These sugars form acid when they come in contact with plaque inside the mouth. This acid leads to tooth decay. Thankfully, this tooth decay is very much preventable if we can control our diet and stay away from foods that contain too much of sugar.  Cavities are another problem that can be tackled by controlling our diet.

Avoid sugary foods as much as possible

There is a saying in Buddhism that you become what you eat. If this is true then you are only inviting bacteria to feed on the plaque that is formed inside your mouth if you eat or drink food items containing lots of sugar. If you do not know, plaque is a thin film that covers your teeth and works as bio mass or mass of bacteria that grow inside your mouth. When you eat sticky sugars, they come in contact with this plaque and start to destroy it by forming acid. This is why dentists recommend people to stay away from food items such as chocolates, pastries, cookies, and cold drinks.

Eat starchy food items sparingly

In addition to sugary foods, foods containing starch are also bad for your oral health. Potato chips and soft bread need to be chewed for a long time before they are sent inside your stomach. But both these food items contain starch that gets stuck in between your teeth because of chewing. Make it a habit to clean your teeth after eating such food items.

Avoid soft drinks

Most soft drinks are heavily carbonated and they contain lots of added sugars. Acids like phosphoric acid and citric acid contained in these soft drinks causes tremendous harm to the enamel of your teeth. These drinks also contain tons of added sugar.

Avoid substances that make your mouth dry

Alcoholic drinks and certain medications create dry conditions inside your mouth that can lead to oral health issues. It is in your own interest to consume as little alcohol as possible. Also, if your medicines are making your mouth dry, start on fluoride supplements after consulting your doctor. Fluoride helps in making your teeth strong.

Food items good for oral health

Think before you eat if you are desirous of good oral health. What you are eating affects your overall health but it has an impact on your oral health first. Eating a healthy and balanced diet and limiting the frequency of in between the meals snacks is a good way of ensuring better oral health. Here is a list of some good food choices to improve your oral health.

• Fresh fruits
• Green vegetables
• Lots of water
• Whole grains
• Fat free and low fat dairy products
• Lean protein such as beans, lean beef, peas, and legumes

One way to limit the damage caused by starchy and sugary snacks in between your meals is to eat something healthy soon after the snack. In fact, there is nothing better than chewing on an apple or a carrot if you feel the need of eating something in between your meals.

In addition to putting control on your diet, you should brush your teeth twice a day without fail. Make sure that your toothpaste contains fluoride. Also do flossing to take out food particles that find their way in between your teeth and gums. Finally, visit a qualified dentist to get your oral health checkup frequently or as recommended by your doctor.