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Dental Problems And Diet By Mumtaz Khalid Ismail
More Links Diet for Good Teeth Sugar - role in dental problems Dietary modification for dental health Points to note Good health is the vital part of the great experience of living. To achieve this adequate food of the right type is the foremost necessity of health. Healthy teeth and gums are essential for chewing which together with salivation ensures good digestion. The need for regular brushing is well established but the importance of diet in dental health is not so widely known.
The two common dental diseases are dental caries and periodontal diseases. Dental caries, which is a pathological process involving localised demineralisation and disintegration of the tooth. Periodontal disease is the disease of the supporting structure of the teeth like gingiva, cementum, alveolar bone and periodontal ligament.
Once the support to the tooth is lost tooth become loose and incapable of performing its functions. Poor oral hygiene, bacterial infection, nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances are the major cause of periodontal diseases.
Bacteria growing on teeth, particularly on plaque causes tooth decay and gum diseases. If plaque, the sticky film on the teeth if not cleaned leads to bacterial growth. These organisms produce acids by breaking down sugar and starch and acid production results in damage of enamel.
Diet plays a great role in promoting good teeth and gums even from the time of intrauterine life. During pregnancy make sure you are getting adequate amounts of calcium, which is essential for your baby. Apart from other requirements calcium is required for a healthy teeth in later life. Dairy products, fish with bones, ragi, green leaf vegetables, sesame seeds are good sources of calcium. Vitamin D found in sunlight and oily fish aid in calcium absorption. Fluoride is necessary in early life for the formation of caries resistant teeth. Fluoride is a double edge nutrient, its deficiency as well as the excess can cause dental problems. Fluoride rich sources like water, amaranth, carrots, rice, Bengal gram, brinjal, fish and tea. Other than calcium, vitamin D, fluoride and minerals like phosphorous and magnesium are also required for the formation of the tooth enamel. These are found in meat, fish, eggs, spinach, banana and whole wheat.
Sucrose the main component of sugar cane and beet sugar has long been blamed for causing tooth decay but it is not the only culprit. It is possible to influence the amount and composition of plaque by varying the amount of sucrose in the diet. It has been seen that eating in between meals especially sweets is bad for the teeth. Starches do have a major role in tooth decay.This is because starches are broken down by saliva into simple sugars that are converted to enamel destroying acids by the bacteria in the mouth. Starchy foods that stick to the teeth are the most likely to cause tooth decay because the acids formed from them remain in contact with the enamel rather than being washed off by saliva.
Dried fruits like dates, figs, raisins can have a similar effect like sticky sweets because they are high in concentrated sugars and get stuck to the teeth. Eating snacks between meals and sipping sugary drinks and fruit juices over long periods or just before bed increases the risk of tooth decay. Parents should not put infants to bed with a bottle of milk nor they should give babies a dummy dipped in sugar or syrup as a comforter.
Replacing sweets with firm and fibrous food that will retard the formation of the plaque. A well balanced diet will provide all the essential nutrients in order to support over all health including dental health. A person who is susceptible to dental caries should avoid eating between meals and restrict the intake of sweet to once a week.
Bleeding gums may be a sign of vitamin C deficiency. Deficiency of protein and vitamin A also influence immune status. Diet rich in gooseberry, citrus fruits, papaya, carrots, pulses, tomato all help to the gingival health directly or indirectly. Gingivitis is a common condition that manifests as redden swell gum with a tendency to bleed. Treatment involves good nutrition, dental hygiene and periodic removal of plaque by a dental practitioner or hygienist. If left untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis - an advanced infection of the gums that can cause teeth to loosen and eventually fall off. Raw vegetables, fresh fruits and other fibrous foods help better blood circulation in the gum and also helps to removes food debris and plaque.
Cheese helps to fight tooth decay caused by sugary foods. It works by preventing the formation of acids in the mouth which attack the enamel on teeth. Tests demonstrate cheese did not have to be swallowed to have an effect the protection is derived just from chewing it. Molybdenum is found in tooth enamel and it is possible that it may help to prevent tooth decay.
Liver is one of the best sources of molybdenum. Liquorice root helps to fight decay as it is an anti-inflammatory agent and contains a substance that may help to control plaque development.
- Eat plenty of raw vegetables.
- End the meal with a fruit.
- Avoid eating between meals.
- Avoid very hot as well as very cold foods.
- Brush after a solid meal and gargle after a sweet drink.
- Restrict sweets.
- Chew the food thoroughly before swallowing. It is good for the teeth and for the body.
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