Monday, March 23, 2020

HEALTH & WELLBEING

By Jessica Smith


What is the Right Nutrition for Stronger Teeth?

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It takes an eternity to achieve healthy teeth, and it is essential to make the right steps to take care of them and avoid any related issues. It is also crucial to get proper oral care products and being aware of your eating habits. To maintain healthy teeth, you require adequate nutrition, something more than brushing and flossing. Let's dive deeper into information extracted by trusted sources which would help clean your diet for strong teeth.


How does a deficient diet affect your teeth?

During the developmental stages, an unhealthy diet and inadequate nutrition affect the development of teeth. Your choice of food in later stages significantly affects your mouth, leading to enamel erosion and the formation of dental caries. 

Sugary foods and carbonated drinks contribute to cavity formation, which is one of the most persistent childhood diseases. The sugar present in these items is exposed to bacteria, which in turn forms a brown or pale yellow layer called plaque, leading to gum diseases and dental decay in the years to follow. 

To prevent such problems, limit the intake of sugary and unhealthy foods. Also, visit the dentists regularly. It is advisable to visit dentists holding ACLS recertification. These dentists get training for emergency health situations along with the dental procedures and can provide you with better information on various health issues. 



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How to get the right nutrition for teeth?

To resist infections, you must include vitamins and minerals in your diet. The presence of too much or too little of any nutrient can be harmful. It can badly affect the teeth. 


Listed below are some of the nutrients that are essential for your oral health:


Calcium

When there is a deficiency of calcium in the body, it utilizes calcium which is present in the teeth which leads to dental problems like brittle teeth, weak roots, and irritated gums. Calcium deficiency in children can lead to delay in tooth formation. 

It is necessary to induce calcium-rich foods in your diet. Dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese, are essential. You can consume non-dairy products like chia seeds, sardines, canned salmon, almonds, green leafy vegetables, which are rich in calcium.


Iron

The deficiency of iron in the body leads to the reduced production of red blood cells. To build healthy hair, nails, and teeth, the body uses iron. The deficiency of iron can lead to anemia which causes mouth sores and a wide spectrum of oral health issues. 

Some of the iron-rich foods to include in your diet are tofu, lentils, lamb meat, cashews, pumpkin, spinach, mushrooms, chicken liver, salmon, duck meat, etc.



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Vitamin b3 (niacin) 

To function properly, every part of the body requires this vitamin. It improves the cholesterol level in the body and reduces the risk of heart diseases. 

The deficiency of this vitamin can cause bad breath and sores on the tongue. 

Foods like liver, chicken breast, tuna, peanuts, brown rice, and whole wheat are great sources of this vitamin.


Vitamin C

This vitamin strengthens the gums and soft tissues in the mouth and prevents the teeth from falling off. Its deficiency can lead to bleeding gums and tooth decay. 

To prevent these problems consume citrus fruits like orange and grapefruit, mango, papaya, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and tomato juice.


Vitamin D

It is the most essential vitamin as it helps the mouth to absorb calcium. Without this vitamin, the mouth will suffer from underdeveloped teeth, tooth decay and gum diseases. Its deficiency can also cause burning mouth syndrome where the mouth experiences a metallic or bitter taste and dry mouth. 

You should regularly consume salmon, cod liver oil, tuna, egg yolks, soy milk, and orange juice which are rich in vitamin d.



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Foods which are harmful to the teeth:


Carbohydrates

The presence of carbohydrates in the mouth can cause the bacteria to produce acid which destroys the enamel of the tooth and creates a cavity. Once a cavity forms, it is impossible to recreate the structure of that tooth again. Foods like chips, chocolates, rice, bread, etc. Since it is not possible to completely stop the intake of these foods, you should know how to eliminate the residual carbohydrates present in the mouth. 


Carbonated soft drinks

Excessive amounts of sugar are present in these drinks. Due to the presence of phosphorus and carbonation, the enamel of the teeth can wear away and they will look yellow and stained. 

Sticky, sugary foods like candies, granola bars, etc stick to the teeth and cause tooth decay.



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To summarize

Try limiting the snacks that you eat and choose healthy options. The increased amount of saliva wash food from the mouth and reduce the effects of acids that harm the teeth. 

Use fluoride toothpaste which is of good quality and visit the dentist regularly. The initial stages of any kind of dental problem are treatable.

Take care of your oral hygiene and maintain that beautiful smile





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