All of us are aware that a good diet is essential for healthy living, but we should also be aware of the significant impact it can have on oral health. Dietary deficiencies are known to cause several diseases that manifest as oral changes. In addition, certain foods have both a beneficial and disease-causing capacity, potentially affecting the teeth, gums, and oral tissues. The most common dental disease is dental caries or tooth decay.
Diet affects the integrity of the teeth, pH of the saliva and plaque. When food comes in contact with the teeth, there is a complex interplay of bacteria, food and teeth, resulting in a change of pH in the mouth. A lower or acidic pH is detrimental to the teeth as it leads to dissolution of tooth mineral and weakening of tooth structure, eventually leading to cavity formation. A higher pH on the other hand is beneficial as it promotes the depositing of minerals such as calcium and phosphates onto the teeth.
Food choices play an important role in determining the pH as food is fuel for the bacteria, so we need to make wise choices with our food. Foods such as milk, cheese, fibrous fruits and vegetables and whole grains help maintain the pH balance. Poor food choices include fermentable carbohydrates and refined foods like candy, cookies, cakes, pies, breads, pasta, muffins and potato chips are easily fermentable and contain large amounts of sugar and can stick to the teeth, providing a fuel source for bacteria.
While it is not entirely possible to completely avoid a refined diet in today’s world, other factors which also play an important role should be considered while making food choices.
1. Physical nature/consistency of the food: Clingy foods like cookies, crisps, candies stick to the teeth for longer compared to foods like jelly and caramel which are soluble sugars and are easily washed away by saliva. So if you want to eat something sugary, make sure they are easily soluble sugars rather than their sticky counterparts.
2. Frequency of eating: Each time we nibble on food or sip a drink containing carbohydrates, there is a change in pH which lasts for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Limiting the frequency of snacking on refined foods can prevent a frequent drop in pH. It is advisable to eat sugary foods during meals rather than in between meals as it limits the frequency of attacks. Healthy choices can be made like cheese, nuts and fruits for in between snacking.
With thanks to Dr Pooja Agarwal, General Dentist.