By: Dr. Euna Chang
The statement, “you are what you eat” is true. Diet not only affects mental and physical health, but it significantly impacts oral health.
If your diet consists of unhealthy foods, you too will be unhealthy. Eating junk foods high in sugar can lead to tooth erosion and cavities. The bacteria on our teeth use the same sugar to make acid that will soften the enamel over time, causing tooth decay. This can even include foods and beverages you probably thought were healthy. Oftentimes, you are better off eating whole fruits compared to drinking fruit juice, which contains little nutritional value.
What should you do?
- Drink more water, especially from the tap, because it contains sufficient amounts of fluoride, unlike bottled water.
- Avoid soda and energy drinks because it has a lot of added sugar.
- Limit snacking in between meals. If you do eat a snack, chew some sugarless gum afterwards to increase saliva production and reduce acid levels.
- Brush your teeth at least two times a day for two minutes to remove the bacteria film, also known as plaque.
- Don’t forget to floss! Floss removes the plaque where the toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Children under the age of ten should have supervision of an adult to maintain their oral hygiene.
Remember, it’s very important to see your dentist regularly. People frequently say they do not go because they are afraid. When you delay, a white spot lesion can turn into a cavity which, if left untreated long enough, could progress to needing a root canal, or worse, an extraction. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you prevent a dental problem now, it will save you from having more invasive dental treatment in the future.
For more information about Oklahoma City Indian Clinic’s dental department, please visit www.okcic.com/dental.