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Best diet for dental health
By Dr. Joel Sendroff
The first thing we think of when we consider a
diet that is good for the teeth is one that is low in
refined sugars. The sugars in candy, dessert and sweetened
drinks are known to cause decay and also feed the plaques on
teeth which attack the gums as well. So traditionally, we in
dentistry have talked about limiting sugar intake and
brushing/flossing after ingesting a sweet treat. But that is
taking a very narrow view and negative approach to diet for
healthy teeth.
The truth be told, the diet that is good for general health
is one that is good for oral health as well.
When I was a young child, my parents and I would vacation in
Atlantic City for a month each summer. Another family with 3
children that I played with was there at the same time. The
family was vegetarian. My mother made fun of the eating
lifestyle of this family and implied that they were actually
maltreating their children. Although I am not now a
vegetarian, it took me a very long time to deprogram the
nutritional learning from my childhood that I had to
unlearn.
Eating lifestyle is definitely not easy to change!!! What we
eat is connected to how we feel, how we socialize, how we
change our mood, how we see ourselves, and so much more. No
wonder doctors have such a hard time asking us to change our
eating habits even when we are facing life threatening
medical challenges that can be ameliorated by modifying the
diet.
Eating for health is simple?ut not easy. We have a lot
holding us back from making changes that are being touted by
all sorts of health organizations and governmental agencies.
We now know that eating 5-9 servings of fruits and
vegetables daily is important for the prevention of many of
the chronic diseases we are presently experiencing. We know
that limiting or eliminating consumption of red meat is
beneficial in reducing the incidence of colon cancer, breast
and prostate issues. We know that eliminating saturated fats
and trans fats is important in eliminating disease. I have
been told by nutrition lecturers that refined sugars in
desserts can inhibit the immune system for up to 4 hours.
Eating whole grains with the fiber they contain is great for
helping the body eliminate fats and move food through the GI
tract more efficiently. Eating beans and legumes are a
wonderful source of fiber and nutrients. Eating fish,
especially ones that contain the good omega-3 fatty acids,
is beneficial to our health.
Hippocrates said let your medicine be your food and your
food be your medicine. I think we are coming to rediscover
the wisdom that was presented so long ago.
There is a lot of good dietary information out there that we
can take advantage of. We have to manage the way we feel
about our food. This is simple and worth trying. It might be
helpful to make gradual changes so we don? overload and
resist.
Additional dental
articles by Dr. Sendroff:
How can I prevent dental disease?
How can I control bacterial plaque?
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Copyright ? 2006 Joel Sendroff, DDS PC - Providing information on dental procedures including Whitening, Porcelain Veneers and Crowns in the Greater Washington, DC area.
Disclaimer: Dr. Joel Sendroff services patients in Washington, DC (District of Columbia), Chevy Chase, Maryland and Northern Virginia. This site only provides information about dental and cosmetic dental procedures including Whitening, Porcelain Veneers, Crowns, White Fillings, Bonding, Same Day Crowns and Veneers, and Dental Implants. It is not meant to be taken as advice.
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