The mouth, teeth and gums are essential for chewing and swallowing. They are part of the beginning stage in the digestion process, so affect your diet and dental health. The mouth is the body's initial point of contact with the nutrients we consume. Therefore, everything we put in our mouth affects our general health, teeth, and gums.

The first signs of malnutrition can appear in the mouth if nutrition is poor. Certain foods can improve your dental health and help you limit cavities over time. However other foods cause cavities, halitosis (bad breath) and various other problems.

In short, a poor diet can lead to cavities and gum disease, but it can also lead to serious health problems. Since no one wants that, drnawaledentocare gives you some tips on what foods you should eat and what foods you should avoid.

Diet and dental health

People's calorie and nutrition needs depend on their age, sex, level of physical activity and other health-related factors. As a rule, any healthy, balanced diet should be included.

●     Fruits and Vegetables Combined, they should make up 50% of the nutritional intake at each meal. Three portions of fruit and two portions of vegetables should be consumed daily.

●     At least half of the cereals consumed should be wholemeal: oats, bread or brown rice.

●     Dairy consumption of low-fat dairy products is recommended.

●     The recommended protein intake is 10-15%. Consumption of lean sources of protein like skinless beef, chicken, and fish is better for one's health. In addition, other sources of protein can be eggs, beans, peas and legumes. Eat a minimum of 300 grams of seafood per week.

●     It should not exceed 30% of the caloric intake. The consumption of unsaturated fats (present in fish, nuts, and olive oil) should be increased and foods rich in saturated fats (red meat, butter, palm oil, etc.) should be reduced.

●     Consumption of free sugar (added sugars) should be less than 10% of the caloric intake and for greater benefits, reduce its consumption to less than 5%.

Additionally, when it comes to diet, it is also important to stay active for good health. Adults should get at least two and a half hours of moderate physical activity per week.

How diet affects your dental health

The foods and drinks you consume have a direct impact on your diet and tooth sensitivity. The likelihood of developing cavities may vary based on the following aspects:

●     Whether the food is liquid, solid, sticky or difficult to dissolve makes a difference.

●     The frequency with which refined foods and carbonated and sweetened drinks are ingested

●     The nutritional composition of the food.

●     The combination and order in which the food is eaten

●     Diseases, such as gastrointestinal reflux and eating disorders, can increase the risk of cavities and weaken teeth.

Foods that benefit oral health

Foods with high concentrations of calcium, such as dairy products (cheese, milk or natural yogurt), green leafy vegetables and nuts (almonds, hazelnuts...) benefit your dental health. Those rich in phosphorus are also worth mentioning because of their high concentration of protein, such as chicken, turkey, fish and eggs. Both minerals are essential for maintaining good oral health as they help in protecting and repairing tooth enamel.

Fruits and vegetables are also good choices for a healthy smile. They are rich in water and fiber, which balances out their sugar content. They also help clean teeth naturally, and these foods also help stimulate salivation. In turn, saliva minimizes and neutralizes acids and food particles on the teeth, protecting them from possible cavities. Many fruits and vegetables contain both vitamin C and A, leading to the protection of gum health.

How to reduce the risk of caries

Once we understand how diet affects your dental health, it is important to know how to reduce the risk of caries. These four tips will keep you away from tooth and gum pain:

●     Brush your teeth three times a day for two minutes to remove sugars and food particles from your teeth.

●     Reduces snacking in between hours.

●     Keep sugar out of your diet. Choose nutritious foods and drinks and don't eat for the sake of eating.

●     Include dairy products, fruits, vegetables and water in your diet. They all play a key role in your oral health.

 What foods should you eat?

When choosing a healthy diet that takes care of your mouth, many delicious foods are not only healthy for your diet and tooth sensitivity but also promote better overall health. This list probably isn't all that surprising, but the key to eating more of these foods and fewer unhealthy foods is to integrate them into your daily life.

You can't see it as a diet since that implies a short-term lifestyle change. For the best results, you'll need to reevaluate your relationship with food and realize that healthy foods can help you avoid a host of dental problems while helping you manage your weight and increase your energy.

Our professionals recommend the following foods and drinks to improve your dental health, immune system, and overall systemic health:

●     Green leafy vegetables

●     Almonds

●     Natural yogurt

●     Milk

●     Cheese

●     Poultry

●     Fish

●     Eggs

●     Fruit

●     Vegetables

●     Water

If your goal is to fight cavities, reduce the risk of gum disease, and adopt an overall healthier lifestyle, this list is for you!

What foods to avoid

Of course, we need to address the main issue on the other side of the coin: what foods we should avoid (or limit intake) to improve dental health. We are not saying that if you eat a chocolate and caramel bar, you will fail in your dental health, Let's be realistic. What we're saying is that if you avoid these foods 90% of the time, you'll be in a much better position to enjoy good dental health:

●     Sugary processed foods

●     Foods with high sugar content or sugar substitutes

●     Sports drinks (water is all you will need to hydrate properly)

●     Sweets

●     Ultra-processed foods

 Conclusion
At drnawaledentocare, we pride ourselves on offering a warm and personalized approach. Our team of highly trained professionals is dedicated to listening to your concerns and goals to design a treatment plan that fits your specific needs. We strive to provide you with a comfortable and stress-free experience so that you feel safe and confident throughout the entire process.

Our services go beyond traditional care, we have high technology and innovative treatments that guarantee exceptional results for the best diet and dental health. From dental cleanings and whitening to implants and orthodontics, drnawaledentocare offers a wide range of personalized services to cover all your dental needs.