Many people do not realise that oral health involves more than just brushing and flossing. What you eat also plays a vital role in supporting your teeth and preventing oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontal disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer. Therefore, understanding that true well-being hinges on a healthy mouth is crucial, and introducing proper nutrition is an excellent way to start.
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr P Parthasarathi Reddy, Founder Chairman, FMS Dental Clinics, highlighted the "inseparable two-way relationship" between nutrition and oral health. He said, "Malnutrition can negatively affect oral health by way of decreasing immunity and predisposing the individual to oral infections."
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He further added that malnutrition can also manifest in the form of glossitis, angular cheilitis, and stomatitis, which is observed as general soreness of the mouth by the individual.
Additionally, the doctor noted that poor oral health can lead to restricted dietary intake, leading to poor nutritional status, highlighting a vicious cycle.
Signs Your Oral Health Is At Its Best Condition
Before we delve into the role of nutrition in oral health, let us find out how a healthy oral cavity differs from a neglected one. A healthy mouth usually has:
- No pain, is odour-free and moist with saliva.
- Gums that do not bleed while brushing or eating hard foods.
- No untreated decayed teeth.
- Teeth that do not shake and are firmly held by the gums.
- No growths, ulcers, or unusual colour changes in the gums or lining of the mouth.
On the other hand, an unhealthy mouth is bad-smelling, prone to infections, gum diseases, toothache, tooth loss, or may have sores or bleeding gums.
Foods To Eat And Avoid To Maintain Oral Health
When it comes to maintaining your oral health, Dr Reddy recommended consuming adequate amounts of calcium and phosphorus-rich foods, which include dairy products like milk, cheese, and curd, vegetables like spinach and okra, and ragi.
Along with calcium, vitamin D also plays a very vital role in jaw bone formation and remodelling, the doctor said, adding that vitamin D-containing foods like fish, eggs, and mushrooms should be included for bone health.
Also Read: Poor Oral Hygiene Alone Does Not Cause Gum Disease: Other Causes To Consider
You must also be aware of foods that are not healthy for your oral wellness. These include:
- Sugars like sucrose, fructose, glucose, and lactose, which are fermented in the mouth by bacteria, can release acids that demineralise the tooth and cause tooth decay. Consuming high quantities of sugars and taking them multiple times a day in the form of ultra-processed foods can be detrimental to tooth health, according to Dr Reddy.
- Acidic foods and beverages like soft drinks, fruit juices, and vinegar containing citric acid, carbonic acid, or other acids can lower the pH of saliva, mounting an acid attack on the teeth. Dr Reddy said, “An occasional exposure to these beverages may not cause damage, but frequent intake with prolonged contact time or holding time in the mouth can lead to dissolution of tooth enamel, which is termed dental erosion.”
Oral Health Habits To Adopt
To maintain oral health, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend brushing your teeth well twice a day and flossing between your teeth to remove dental plaque.
The health body warns against foods and drinks with added sugar, as they contribute to oral diseases and other chronic illnesses.
In addition, Dr Reddy shared:
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly after meals to remove any food debris.
- Visit your dentist regularly, at least once a year.
- Ensure to take a healthy, balanced diet.
- While snacking, avoid highly processed foods, limit the frequency of snacking, do not hold food in the mouth for too long, and switch to healthier snacks.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. We advise you to consult your expert if you have any queries regarding oral health and hygiene.]