It’ s Your Smile
Nutrition For Oral Health
By Dr. Jernell Escobar
Dr. Escobar has been practicing dentistry in the Bay Area since 2006. She took over Dr. Palmerlee’ s practice when he retired in 2012. She is passionate about providing exceptional oral health care in a patient centered environment. Dr. Escobar participates in continuing education seminars with other leading clinicians in exploring new and innovative methods and materials for restoring smiles.
Excellent daily oral hygiene is probably the most important way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This includes effective brushing and flossing as well as the use of various oral rinses. Often forgotten but every bit as important to good oral health is a nutritious diet. Proper vitamins and minerals are essential to the health and development of the teeth and gums.
We have all been told that too much sugar in our diets causes tooth decay. However, most of us fail to recognize the sugar that is present in foods we would not normally associate with having a high sugar content. When we talk to patients about cavity causing foods, we use the term“ fermentable carbohydrates.” This refers specifically to the type of sugar that the bacteria that cause tooth decay love to eat. A cavity is a hole in a tooth caused by acid erosion. When the bacteria that cause cavities eat fermentable carbohydrates, they secrete acid as a byproduct that can dissolve tooth structure, thus creating a cavity. Many foods contain these fermentable carbohydrates such as bread, milk, grains, candy, fruit and the list goes on. You should not expect to eliminate these foods from your diet but you should moderate their intake and brush thoroughly after eating.
Vitamins and minerals are essential to the development and maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. Often, people supplement their diets with over the counter vitamins and minerals because their diets are poor. However, studies have shown time and again that there is no substitute for proper nutrition. This will help to build strong teeth and bones as well as healthy gums.
The mineral fluoride is a very well known tool in the fight against tooth decay. Topically, fluoride aids in the hardening of tooth structure. It makes tooth enamel stronger and can actually help reverse smaller cavities. When ingested during childhood, fluoride is incorporated into the developing adult teeth making them stronger. However, once the adult teeth have completely formed, the topical application of fluoride is the delivery modality of choice.
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that has been shown to have an anti-cavity effect. Xylitol is a naturally occurring carbohydrate that is typically extracted from corncobs and trees. The natural sourcing of xylitol makes it a very attractive option for those who shy away from artificial sweeteners. Xylitol can be found in many sugar free chewing gums, toothpastes, mouth rinses and mints as well as a sugar substitute in many foods. Used in moderation, xylitol can help in the fight against tooth decay.
In conclusion, a healthy and balanced diet in conjunction with effective oral hygiene will keep you smiling for years to come.
G M H T O D A Y M A G A Z I N E MAY / JUNE 2015 gmhtoday. com
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