Just Smile Clinics

Nutrition and teeth

Just like teeth are an integral element in the consumption of most foods, certain foods should be viewed as integral elements in the health of teeth. To supplement the care you're providing with regular brushing and flossing, we've provided a list of the best - and worst - foods to watch out for when you're thinking about dental health.

In addition to containing calcium, an important ingredient in healthy bones, unsweetened yogurt is also low in acidity and sugar. Similarly, cheese has high calcium and phosphate contents, which balance pH levels, preserve enamel, produce saliva, and kill bacteria.

Sesame seeds are also high in calcium.

Fruits such as kiwis, apples, strawberries and citrus fruits contain vitamin C, which is essential to not only your oral health but for the rest of your body as well.

Orange vegetables - such as pumpkins, carrots, and sweet potato, as well as other vegetables such as broccoli, contain vitamin A, which, during tooth development, aids in the building of enamel. Crunchy vegetables also cleanse and stimulate gums. Celery is particularly effective for this, and also helps the mouth generate saliva. Any food that requires at lot of chewing - from vegetables, to fruits, to whole grains, is beneficial to your teeth and gums.

Despite their reputation as contributors to bad breath, onions contain antibacterial sulphur compounds that kill numerous types of bacteria. They are particularly effective when eaten freshly peeled and raw. Parsley or mint are great choices to follow-up onions with, as they will help you maintain sweet-smelling breath.

Shiitake mushrooms contain lentinan, which studies have shown may prevent bacteria from forming plaque. Similarly, studies have indicated that wasabi is also effective in preventing the growth of bacteria.

Finally, chewing sugar-free gum can help prevent decay, as it encourages your mouth to produce saliva.

On the less positive side, it is common knowledge that sweets are detrimental to teeth. Sugary foods cause tooth decay, whether you’re consuming artificial or natural sugars. The sugar reacts with the bacteria in plaque, which creates harmful acids that attack your teeth. The most important thing with sugar is to limit it to mealtimes, so your teeth are not under attack all throughout the day. That being said, the total amount of sugar consumed should be limited as well.

Acidic foods are also an issue, as the acid can erode the enamel on your teeth.

In general, it is better for your teeth if you limit eating to a few times a day, as opposed to snacking frequently. If you do need to snack, it is best to opt for foods that do not contain excessive sugars. Preferable snacks include cheese, raw vegetables, and nuts.

Gum Health

Making sure your gums are healthy is just as important as taking care of your actual teeth. Ideally, your gums should form a tight seal with your teeth that bacteria cannot penetrate.

Physically, your gums should be firm, and not bleed after brushing or flossing. They are typically a light or coral shade of pink, though this can vary slightly based on ethnic origin.

Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is typically caused by bacteria building up along the gum line. Inflamed gums are red, swollen, and bleed when brushed. Gingivitis can typically be remedied by removing the plaque causing the inflammation. For mild cases of gingivitis, often regular brushing and flossing is enough to remedy the problem.

Periodontitis refers to the inflammation of the periodontium, or the tissue that supports the teeth. Periodontitis can often follow gingivitis, if gingivitis is left untreated. With periodontitis, the inflammation of the gums spreads, affecting the tissue and bones that hold your teeth in place. This can result in loosened teeth, and even eventual tooth loss. Periodontitis is characterized by receding gums, and can be treated by removing the problematic plaque. This, however, requires professional treatment.

While plaque accumulation typically causes periodontitis, several risk factors, including diabetes, smoking and inherited susceptibility, also increase the likelihood of contracting and influence the severity of the disease.

In order to make sure that healthy gums are maintained, it is critical to brush and floss regularly, paying close attention to the area where the teeth meet the gums. This care should be supplemented by regular trips to the dentist for professional cleaning, particularly because it can be hard to detect periodontitis from the onset.

Children and Dental Care

It is very important to get children into a dental routine from an early age. As a parent, it is critical to begin cleaning your child's teeth as soon as they appear, which beings at approximately 6 months. Although these "baby" teeth will fall out by early adolescence, they are still important for the development of permanent teeth, and should be cared for accordingly.

There are a number of elements involved in taking care of children's teeth. Regular trips to the dentist are essential, both for professional cleanings and to ensure that your child does not have any cavities, or other dental problems. Since children have thinner enamel than adults, decay can spread quicker, so they may need more frequent check-ups. Dental x-rays are also important to make sure that teeth are progressing and moving properly.

Your child should get into the habit of brushing his or her teeth twice a day as well as flossing regularly. You can brush your child's teeth when they are young, but it is good to teach them to do it themselves around the age of seven. Early on, you should participate in this process to ensure that your child is doing a thorough job, using a gentle circular motion and reaching every tooth. It is important that there is fluoride in your child's toothpaste, but too much fluoride can result in a spotted appearance on permanent teeth later on, so be sure to check with the dentist about how much fluoride you are using.

In terms of diet, try to limit the amount of sugar and acid in your child's diet, particularly between meals or before bedtime. This includes not just sweets but also hidden sugars, such as the ones in breakfast cereals.

Ideally, children should be aware and understand as much as they can the importance of all of these steps - regularly visiting the dentist, brushing and flossing daily, and avoiding sugary and acidic foods. This will ensure that they continue to maintain these habits as they progress through life, appreciating the importance of and factors underlying good dental health.

Tongue Health

The tongue is a powerful and important muscle – integral for taste, chewing and processing food, and speech. The oral part of the tongue, containing the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, lies mainly in the mouth, while the pharyngeal part of the tongue consists of the posterior third.

The oral part is covered in bumpy papillae, which come in four types. Three of these four types have taste buds on their surfaces. The average human tongue has 2,000 to 8,000 taste buds.

There are five taste sensations – sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and umami, which is often known as meaty or savoury.

The average length of the tongue is 10cm from oropharynx to tip, but the world’s longest tongue belongs to Stephen Taylor, whose extended tongue from tip to lip is a whopping 9.5cm.

The tongue often gets neglected in the pursuit of oral hygiene, but it’s important to make sure your tongue is both healthy and clean.

A tongue should typically be pink and relatively smooth.

A white tongue can indicate an infection present on the tongue, while an overly dark tongue is often the result of diet, lifestyle or medications, such as antibiotics. Bismuth medications, such as Pepto Bismal, can even turn the tongue temporarily black. This dark staining – whether from coffee, cigarettes, or medication, should fade with brushing and time.

A bright or dark red tongue can be the result of nutritional deficiencies, though a temporary red and painful tongue can also be a reaction to something consumed, such as mouthwash, toothpaste, or acidic foods.

A yellow tongue is typically the result of a bacterial or fungal infection, though could also be attributed to gastric reflux.

An abnormally pale and smooth tongue can be a symptom of anemia, or iron deficiency.

If you tongue begins to appear "hairy", this is likely because the filiform papillae on your tongue have become elongated. This can be the result of infection, antibiotics, or a very dry mouth.

Canker sores (or mouth ulcers), which can appear anywhere in the mouth including on the tongue, can result from consuming too much citrus, having a cold of fever, or biting your tongue, and should disappear within approximately 10 days. If your canker sores persist longer however, it is worth seeing a doctor, as they may be a sign of mouth cancer.

Small bumps on the tongue – from inflamed papillae, are also normal, as long as they disappear within a few days. As with canker sores, a prolonged and painful inflammation may signify mouth cancer.

An inflamed tongue can signify an allergic reaction, so it is worth of trip to the doctor if this symptom persists.

Finally, burning mouth syndrome describes a painful, burning sensation that can affect just the tongue or the entire mouth. This condition, which is not particularly well understood, often affects post-menopausal women, though both the causes and solutions are unknown. Drinking water, chewing gum, and taking anti-anxiety and anti-depressant drugs are current treatments that seem to help manage the syndrome.

In order to clean your tongue, you can invest in a tongue brush or scraper, or simply use your toothbrush to brush your tongue. An inverted spoon can also be used. It is recommended to clean your tongue before, not after eating, so the bacteria on your tongue does not get swallowed along with the food and drinks you are consuming.

Tongue cleaning is important for fresh breath, oral hygiene, and general health.