Our bodies are intricate machines. Your overall health as well as the condition of your teeth and gums can be impacted by the foods you eat and how frequently you eat them. Too much sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, or unhealthy foods may put you at risk for dental damage. The good news is that tooth decay is completely avoidable, despite being the most prevalent chronic childhood illness.
When plaque and sugar in the mouth come into contact, acid attacks the teeth, leading to tooth decay.
Tooth decay can be caused by foods that include sugars of any sort. Read the nutrition data and ingredient labels on meals and beverages to keep your intake of sugar under control. Then, pick the ones with the least amount of sugar. Candy, cookies, pastries, and soft drinks are common dietary sources of sugar. A licensed dietician or your doctor can also offer advice on how to eat a healthy diet. Your mouth’s tissues may have a harder time fending off infection if you don’t get enough of certain nutrients from your diet. Gum disease may be exacerbated by this. One of the main causes of adult tooth loss is severe gum disease. Poor nutrition may cause the condition to worsen and advance more quickly, according to several studies.

Visit ChooseMyPlate.gov, a website run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, to find out what foods are best for you. The website offers food guidelines for adults and children according to their levels of physical activity.
Making sensible decisions
Think before you eat and drink for a healthy lifestyle and for healthy teeth and gums. Your oral health can be impacted by both what and when you consume. Limit between-meal snacking and maintain a balanced diet. When selecting foods for a special diet, follow your doctor’s recommendations.
When selecting meals and snacks, bear the following in mind for optimal oral health:
Be sure to stay hydrated.
Consume a range of foods from the five main dietary categories, such as whole grains.
Lean protein sources including skinless chicken, fish, and lean beef; dry beans, peas, and other legumes; fruits; and vegetables
Dairy products that are fat-free or low in fat
Do not overindulge in snacking. If you must snack, pick something nutritious, such as cheese, fruit, or veggies. Because more saliva is created during meals, eating foods as part of a meal is less harmful to teeth than eating many snacks throughout the day. Saliva reduces the effects of acids, which can damage teeth and result in cavities, and aids in cleaning food from the mouth.
Always remember to floss every day, see your dentist on a regular basis, and brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste that has earned the American oral Association Seal of Acceptance for optimal oral health. Your dentist can help avoid oral issues in the first place and identify those that do arise early on, when they are simple to treat, with routine dental care.
mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/dental-health and diet