DIETARY REMINDERS

I’m sure you have heard the saying “You are what you eat”. This implies that a healthy balanced diet high in vitamins and nutrients and low in junk food is better for you and will help you maintain a healthy body and stave off illness.

Your diet provides your body with the fuel it needs to run at its optimum, so if you are filling your tank with a diet heavy in sugary and fatty foods instead of nutrient-rich vegetables and lean proteins, you’re doing yourself a disservice. A poor diet can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, digestive problems, increased risk of illness, and can also affect the health of your teeth and gums.

When you eat anything, the bacteria that are already present in your mouth convert the sugar and starch in this food into acids, which attack the enamel on your teeth and can cause tooth decay. The more often you eat foods that contain sugars and starches, and the longer these remain in your mouth before brushing, the greater your risk for decay. That is why it is important to brush and floss after every meal, preferably about a half hour after the meal, to brush away any food particles that may be clinging to or in between your teeth.

Sugar and starch are not just in junk food. Sugar also lurks in things such as milk, yogurt, salad dressing, ketchup, and even some vegetables. Fruit juices, granola bars, and even “nutritional” bars can also be loaded with sugar.

Starchy foods such as bread, cereal, pasta and beans can also wreak havoc on your teeth and gums. Like sugar, starch can also be found in some unexpected places such as bananas, canned soup, prepared spaghetti sauce, potatoes, and some other vegetables like corn and peas.
It’s not just what you eat, it’s when and how frequently you eat. Limit the amount of sugary and starchy foods, especially between meals. Make sure to read nutritional labels so you know what you are consuming. After you do eat any of these things, wait about a half hour for your saliva to naturally neutralize your mouth and then brush with fluoridated toothpaste.

There are several factors other than sugar that can contribute to dental decay. Genetics play a role, in addition to other things such as home care, xerostomia (dry mouth), pH (acidity level), gum recession and age. Decay rates can change throughout life due to these factors. For those who are more prone to decay, a prescription fluoridated toothpaste should be an important consideration. This is something only your dentist can prescribe, so regular dental visits are essential.

Snack on healthier choices such as cheese, vegetables and fruit. These are better for you in general but still require you to cleanse your teeth following consumption. Try to limit your intake of soda and fruit juices and drink plenty of water. Water not only keeps you hydrated but helps with cleansing the mouth.

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at jpstclair@stclairdmd.com. You can view all previously written columns at www.stclairdmd.com.