The importance of nutritious food for oral health

In order to stay healthy, of course, you have to eat a healthy and nutritious diet every day. Likewise, when maintaining oral health, the food consumed, especially during childhood and adolescence, will be very influential as adults.

Therefore, choosing the right food for the daily menu is very important to do.

How does food affect oral health?

Did you know, there are 700 species of microbes that live in the mouth. These microbes also include germs such as bacteria and fungi.

Microbes grow in different parts of the mouth. Some are attached to the teeth, some are attached to the tongue, and some are attached to the gums.

Some of the microbes in the mouth are good microbes that will help you chew your food and protect your teeth and mouth from bad microbes that can be obtained from the food you eat.

Unfortunately, the growth of bad microbes is very easy. The foods you eat, especially those high in sugar, come into contact with germs and bacteria that live in your mouth. Some of the microbes will later convert the sugar into a matrix and acids.

The matrix is ​​a microbial mechanism to protect itself by forming a smooth and sticky layer. The matrix can stick to dental plaque.

When you don't brush your teeth, plaque, which combines with sugar and starch, will further promote growth and eventually produce acids that attack tooth enamel (the hard, white solid) of teeth. The matrix makes plaque even more difficult to remove.

If you persistently stick to unhealthy intake patterns with foods that are high in sugar, it is not impossible that you will experience various health problems in your teeth and mouth.

In addition, the lack of consumption of nutritious foods since childhood can affect tooth growth and jaw formation.

What foods are good for oral health?

Source: Dentist Conroe, TX

Indeed, foods and drinks with high sugar such as chocolate cake and soda are very appetizing. Quitting completely is also very difficult and of course it will take a very long time.

It's okay if you want to eat a sweet snack every now and then, but you should also eat more nutritious foods.

Some of the nutrients that are highly recommended for maintaining healthy teeth and mouth are foods that contain calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin C.

As is well known, foods rich in calcium can help improve the strength of teeth and bones.

You can get calcium from milk and its products such as yogurt and cheese, tofu, salmon, and almonds. Similar to calcium, phosphorus found in foods such as eggs, fish and lean meats can also make teeth stronger.

Meanwhile, if you want healthy gums, regular consumption of foods containing vitamin C is needed. Vitamin C is a vitamin that is very easy to find, especially in fruits and vegetables such as oranges, lemons, tomatoes, spinach, and chilies.

Not only that, protein was also able to protect teeth and mouth from various diseases. Protein in meat, cheese, and nuts is an important substance in the formation of collagen, which maintains the health of connective tissue in the mouth and gums and helps heal wounds.

Get into other healthy habits

Food is not the only thing you should pay attention to when maintaining healthy teeth and mouth. You also have to do other habits such as drinking lots of water.

Drinking water will treat dry mouth by triggering the production of saliva, which can reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Brush your teeth twice for at least two minutes. Do not miss to brush gently on the tongue to clean the remnants of dirt that sticks.

To clean areas that cannot be reached with a toothbrush, use dental floss especially after you're done eating. Change your teeth cleaning equipment every 3-4 months.

To ensure that your teeth and mouth are always in good condition, have regular check-ups with your dentist at least every six months.