Bacteria in your mouth cause deposits on your teeth that can lead to tooth decay and other dental problems. Making sure that you brush and floss and get regular check-ups is important, but one of the other things you can do to have healthy teeth and gums is to follow the right kind of diet to prevent the bacteria from getting out of control.
History
People living in ancient Greece and China believed dental disease was caused by worms that drank the blood of teeth and fed on roots in the jaw. It wasn't until the 19th century that doctors began to suspect a link between diet and dental decay, especially since the disease was rare before processed sugars were introduced into the diet. During World War II when there was sugar rationing, the number of dental patients declined.
Identification
Bacteria live in your mouth most of the time, but sugar--their favorite food--can cause them to multiple to harmful levels. After a time, this buildup of bacteria causes plaques, or deposits, on your teeth, forming acids that attack the teeth and destroy the enamel. Bacterial overgrowth combined with poor nutrition can also lead to other health problems including abnormal craniofacial development in children, oral cancer and infectious diseases, according to a 2005 "New York Times" article.
Significance
Half of children in the United States ages 12 to 15 have some form of tooth decay, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Advanced gum disease affects 4 to 12 percent of adults, and one-fourth of American adults ages 65 and older have lost all of their teeth. More than 7,600 people die from oral and pharyngeal cancers each year, although a diet containing plenty of fruit and vegetables has been associated with a 50 percent decreased risk of cancer of the mouth and pharynx.
Considerations
According to Hisham S. Ayoub, DMD, of Plantation Florida, every time you eat or drink anything with sugar, your teeth will continue to be under acid attack for up to one hour, one reason he and other dentists recommend you eat sugary foods only at mealtimes. As the "New York Times" also reports, the earlier in life you and your children start eating a healthy diet and see your dentist regularly, the better the chances for healthier teeth over your lifetime.
Expert Insight
The World Health Organization recommends that for optimal dental health, you eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and make sure the starchy foods you consume are low in fat and sugars. The American Dental Association also suggests that you limit the number of snacks you eat, and if you do snack, choose nutritious foods like cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt or a piece of fruit and stay away from sugary sodas. Dr. Ayoub adds that to avoid tooth staining, you should restrict or eliminate coffee, tea, red wine, dark fruit juices and colas.
References
- Cambridge Journals: Proceedings of the Nutrition Society: The Interrelationship between Diet and Oral Health
- Dr. A: Dental Diet
- "Clinical Textbook of Dental Hygiene and Therapy"; Robert Ireland; 2006
- New York Times: Dental Advice: Start Early
- American Dental Association: Diet and Oral Health
