By Neil Stadford,
Project Weight Loss Editor - Diet
March 13, 2008The appropriate diet plays a key role in the maintenance of healthy teeth and gum. Natural or processed sugar is the number one enemy of healthy gums and the main cause of caries. Sticky products such as candies or toffees cannot be rapidly dissolved in the saliva so their long presence may cause dental caries.
Foods that are apparently harmless like chips, pancakes, or pound cake are kept on the teeth`s surface for a long time and finally are transformed into glucides or sugars that may lead to dental caries.
Chewing gum may be used for the superficial cleaning of the teeth because it stimulates the saliva production and maintains the pH at normal values. The major disadvantage of chewing gum is that it may cause digestive problems.
Drastic diets may also affect the teeth`s health, according to recent studies. The category of drastic diets includes fad diets or diets where people must consume one type of food the whole day.
People who usually follow these diets tend to limit their necessary consumption of proteins, minerals, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, important substances for the teeth`s health. Those who take weight loss pills have an increased production of saliva and also have an increased risk to develop dental caries.
Vitamins from food or supplements along with a rigorous hygiene may help people avoid caries and bad breath. Vitamin C and Q10 coenzyme have an antioxidant effect and protect the gums. Most dental problems appear due to the improper oral hygiene, smoking, and sweet beverage consumption. Certain dental conditions that are untreated may lead to oral cancer but a healthy diet for the teeth and an appropriate oral hygiene may put a shiny smile on your face.
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Project Weight Loss. All rights reserved.
