Diet and dental health go hand in hand. If you don’t eat nutritious foods your dentition won’t remain healthy. Without healthy dentition, you won’t be able to consume nutritious foods. You need a healthy bite and strong teeth to chew high protein foods, such as meat, greens, and beans. If you have sore gums, loose teeth, or are missing teeth, that can be difficult. Our teeth and gums need certain nutrients to remain healthy. If you are interested in learning more about nutrition and dental health, your Encinitas, CA, periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania, is a trained periodontist, and can discuss a nutritious diet and the effects if will have on your teeth and gums.
What Our Teeth Need
Dental research has shown specific minerals, vitamins, and fats can help improve dental health, including probiotic bacteria; omega-3 fatty acids; vitamin C; vitamin D; calcium; and xylitol, a natural sugar substance.
Probiotic Bacteria: Probiotic bacteria are good bacteria. Lactobacilli are a probiotic bacteria found in yogurt. Aside from offering various health benefits, Lactobacilli help prevent infection by competing with bad bacteria. Other foods containing natural probiotics include miso, sauerkraut, and aged cheeses.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that are shown to decrease inflammation associated with periodontal disease. Some foods containing omega-3 include: fish oil; olive, soybean, canola, and flaxseed oils; and walnuts.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is important for the health of gingival connective tissue. It is required for the production of collagen which is a vital component of connective tissue, and plays an essential role in the healing process of bodily tissues. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, melons, and berries.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D aids the digestive system in the absorption of important nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus, contributing to strong bones and a healthy immune system. It is also said that vitamin D encourages healing and reduces inflammation. Vitamin D is found in tuna, sardines, eggs, milk, and other dairy sources.
Calcium: Calcium is essential to bone health including the teeth and jawbone. Dairy products such as milk, eggs, and cheese, dark green vegetables, rice, and beans are all sources of calcium.
Xylitol: Xylitol is a natural sugar that starves harmful oral bacteria decreasing the risk for decay. Xylitol can be found in fruits, vegetables, berries, and mushrooms.
About Your Encinitas Periodontist:
To learn how to keep your smile healthy and beautiful so you can enjoy the benefits it offers, subscribe to this blog, and visit Dr. Kania for a consultation. As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania is specially qualified to diagnose and treat issues concerning periodontal tissue and the supportive structures of a patient’s smile, as well as place dental implants to restore teeth lost to dental disease or trauma. To seek Dr. Kania’s expertise, visit our office or contact us today at (760) 642-0711.