Food is essential in day-to-day life. It helps to boost immunity, support muscles, strengthen bones, and make you live longer. While many types of foods will benefit your body, some can hurt your oral health. For this reason, a healthy diet should be your priority. Learn how diet can harm your oral health:
Tooth Decay
A diet rich in nutrients is vital in strengthening the teeth. How about if you focus on a poor diet? A poor diet will lead to weak tooth enamel, making you prone to tooth decay. In addition, sugary and acidic items can contribute to decay. For instance, if you consume sugary snacks, bacteria in the plaque will create acids that will eat away the enamel. A weak enamel is an early sign of cavities and tooth decay. If left untreated, this condition can result in infections.
Gum Disease
A diet containing carbohydrates can easily get stuck between the teeth and gum line. If not removed, plaque will form and irritate the gums. At this stage, your gums may appear red or swollen. These are signs of an early stage of gum disease. If left untreated, the tissues supporting the teeth may become infected, resulting in gum recession and bone deterioration. You will also likely experience bad breath, loose teeth, and misalignment.
Tooth Loss
In most cases, missing teeth result from advanced tooth decay and gum disease. When you lose one or more teeth, speaking and chewing may become challenging. Your teeth can also shift and affect how your teeth fit when you bite. Do you want to improve your oral health? Then you may need to change your diet. A diet rich in calcium, proteins, calcium, and whole grains can help to preserve your teeth and gums. Contact us if you are unsure whether your diet harms your oral health.
Dentist Bend, OR • Dental Blog • Aesthetic Dentistry of Bend Dr. Thomas E. Wold has created this blog to help educate the community. Like a Post? Please use the "share it" button to post to Facebook, Twitter, or Google+. Aesthetic Dentistry of Bend, LLC - Thomas E. Wold DMD, 124 NW Hawthorne Ave. Bend, OR. 97703 + (541) 389-0261 + wolddmd.com + 11/26/2023 + Tags: dentist Bend OR +