Will Your Nutritional Habits Lead to Periodontal Disease?

You may have heard, time and time again, that sugary foods, drinks, and non-nutritional snacks are bad for your teeth. Though you may not question this logic, it’s important to understand what role your diet plays in your oral health.

One of the many diseases that Dr. Okamoto works to treat is periodontitis, a common yet preventable disease characterized by bleeding gums and brought on by bacteria attacking the tooth enamel and soft tissue. Although many believe the primary cause of gum disease to be poor oral hygiene, evidence also shows a correlation between diet and the onset of periodontitis.

What Foods Are You Eating in Excess?

Research suggests that diets rich in carbohydrates lead to more cases of gum disease. That’s because the sugars contained in carbohydrates become sticky, adhering to tooth enamel and allowing bacteria to spread. Combine large amounts of carbohydrates with poor oral hygiene practices and the bacteria on your teeth start to impact your gums as well.

As you work to improve your oral health, be mindful of the foods you consume. Of course, even the healthiest of foods contain some sugar, but the added sugars in many processed foods are what will do your teeth and gums the most harm. Read ingredient labels, and if you must indulge in your favorite treat, make sure to brush and floss thoroughly afterward.

What Foods Aren’t You Eating Enough Of?

While you’re limiting the amount of sugar you eat, it's also essential that you take in certain nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which are good for your body overall and support a healthy diet. Without them, your immune system may weaken and allow certain infections to spread.

When your diet lacks particular nutrients, periodontal disease may have an easier time affecting your gums. For this reason, a balanced diet is important to maintain. Fruits, vegetables and dairy products contain vitamins and minerals that benefit your oral health if eaten regularly. Proteins are also important for the strength of your tooth enamel.

Preventing Periodontal Disease Starts With You!

With a balanced diet, good oral hygiene practices, and regular dental checkups, you can keep periodontal disease at bay. If you would like more information about periodontal disease, contact Dr. Okamoto to schedule an appointment.

Top 5 Tips to Maintain Optimum Oral Health

Your smile should not only be aesthetically beautiful, but it should be healthy as well. Understanding what it takes to keep your teeth and gums healthy can affect not just the way your smile looks, but your overall health as well. Maintaining your oral health can be an easy task with these 5 top tips:

Changing your diet – Inhibit the amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume on a daily basis. If you’re a heavy soda drinker, consider the two essential ingredients in many sodas and other carbonated drinks that eat away at the surface of your teeth: phosphoric and citric acid. Food and drinks with added acid and sugar wear down dental enamel and make teeth susceptible to cavities. But whole and natural foods that produce a scrubbing effect, like certain vegetables, or contribute in vitamins help to keep your smile strong and healthy.

Rinsing – Utilizing mouthwash and toothpaste that contain fluoride can protect your smile. Fluoride has a protective effect that makes your teeth more resistant to decay.  Implementing fluoride based oral care in your twice daily regimen will protect your teeth from decay and strengthen their durability, while also cleaning and freshening your mouth.

Flossing – Although there is some recent buzz that flossing isn’t the be-all-and-end-all for your oral health, the truth is that flossing doesn’t damage your teeth – rather it helps to keep your smile cleaner overall. Not only it will remove food from in between your teeth, it can also prevent bacteria and debris from collecting below your gum line. However, there is a right way to floss your teeth; you should utilize a fresh section of floss for each tooth and follow the curve of your teeth gently.

Brushing Technique and Choice of Toothbrush – By brushing at a 45 degree angle and utilizing a brush with soft bristles, brushing your teeth twice daily effectively maintains a clean mouth. Be sure to use soft circular motions and thoroughly clean back molars, as well as brushing your tongue.
Regularly visit your dentist! Visiting your dentist is the number one way to maintain your oral health all year round. Dentist provide ample information and tips to ensure you maintain a proactive approach with at home oral care and are making smart choices about keeping your smile clean, healthy, and beautiful.

At Steven K. Okamoto DDS, Inc., our father-daughter team helps patients understand the importance of their oral health. Contact our Torrance, CA dental practice today for your next appointment or to speak to a member of our staff.