Diet And Tooth Decay

Scientists have long recognized the link between good oral health, and nutrition. For many years, the American Dental Association recommends that children and adults limits in food and drink between meals and when they have a snack give preference to nutritious food, identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA dietary guidelines.

Think about the human body is a complex mechanism, which requires daily attention if it will work well. Without exercise and a balanced diet, he does not get the fuel it needs to run efficiently and effectively. And this may be less able to ward off disease and / or infection.

Products, which we choose as a fuel, as a rule, affect our health in General, including our teeth and gums. Health and nutrition experts recommend the following USDA Food Guide Pyramid.

Sugar And Tooth Decay

Eating patterns and food choices among children and adolescents are important factors that will affect how quickly the young people can develop tooth decay. The reason is a sticky film of bacteria, called plaque that constantly forms on teeth and gums. Every time when bacteria enter in contact with sugar or starch in the oral cavity, acid is produced that attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more. This may eventually lead to tooth decay.

USDA Diet guidelines encourage consumers to limit intake of beverages and foods with a high sugar content that may displace other healthy products from your daily diet. The Agency identifies non-alcoholic drinks, as the main source of added sugar.

Americans drank more than 53 liters of soft drinks per person in the year 2000. This amount exceeded all other beverages, including milk, beer, coffee and water. One of every four drinks consumed in America today is a soft drink, and it is clear that non-alcoholic drinks, displaced nutritious drinks and foods from the diet.

Did you know that some nondiet soft drinks contain up to 11 teaspoons of sugar per serving? Although there are few studies reported in the scientific literature, in particular, to assess the role of soft drinks in the development of caries, increased sugar in the diet increases the risk of caries. There is a positive Association between consumption, especially heavy consumption of sugar-containing soft drinks and the risk of tooth decay, according to published studies.

Most soft drinks contain phosphoric acid and citric acid. Long-term effects of acid can do irreversible damage to the teeth, producing a condition called erosion, or loss of hard tissues of the tooth surface. It is widely known that acid in foods and beverages plays an important role in the development of erosion of enamel. Diet soft drinks rely on non-nutritive sweeteners instead of sugar. They also are acidic and may increase the risk of erosion of enamel, although research on the role of soft drinks and dental erosion is preliminary.

There are things you can do to beat plaque. Limitation in eating and drinking, and between meals, ever, give preference to a nutritious diet. Should consider the effects of frequent consumption of sugary drinks and nonnutritious snack products. Brush twice a day, use floss or interdental cleaner once a day, and have regular dental checkups...