It's reasonable and certainly
undeniable: the pandemic affected your diet. For some, it meant turning away
their favorite junk food and nourishing their body to improve their immune
system. For others, however, it meant exploring all the sweets and delicacies
they can have delivered to their home. It won't be surprising at all if you
equipped your kitchen with the latest appliances and you now run it like a
gourmet chef. Food is a quick remedy to managing the many stress triggers you
encounter daily since the outbreak. The problem is that you may be
unconsciously topping all your problems off with a dental emergency that you
can neither afford to have nor want to experience.
The solution? Be mindful of food choices that are detrimental to your dental health. You don't have to change your diet all at once. If you're already eating healthy, you will still want to know if you've fallen for the pitfalls that result in gum disease, teeth stains, and other oral issues. As they say, prevention is better than intervention.
Do Get Expert Advice
Before adding and subtracting to
your present diet, you'll want to get an expert opinion on the state of your
oral health first. Preventive action will not work so well on existing problems,
and allowing a dentist to intervene where needed will set you in the right
direction. They'll also be able to give you specific instructions on the food
you should avoid based on your mouth's present condition. The prevention will
apply where due, so if you feel that you need to book an appointment, do so.
The advantage of getting
treatment during the pandemic is that your dreaded procedures and orthodontic
devices won't be as inconvenient as you thought they'd be. You're likely
studying or working from home, meaning any side effect won't prove to be a
burden when commuting or working. Are you advised to get gold-plated braces?
Go ahead and give something your colleagues to smile about in your next Zoom
call. If ever you stop being fond of your look, no worries - face masks aren't
going away anytime soon.
Food to Consume
Preventive action means
eliminating certain food items and replacing them with good ones. Sweets and
acidic foods are already a given in the 'to avoid' category. This doesn't mean
you can't have them anymore. Consume them sparingly and watch out for your
portion. A little sacrifice will go a long way in saving your teeth and gums.
What you need to know are the
less popular dietary options and practices you have that can make a significant difference in your health.
Anything Anti-Inflammatory. Think
fatty fish, broccoli, berries, peppers, and turmeric. The more
anti-inflammatory food there is in your diet, the better your gum health will
be. This is according to a study conducted
by the University of Freiburg that they published in the Journal
of clinical periodontology.; In it, they disclose that their experiments
prove that consuming omega-fatty acids, plants, fibre, and vitamins
significantly improves the health of your gums.
Rethink Your Calcium Intake. When
you meet your recommended daily intake of calcium, you decrease the risk of
getting periodontal disease. If you're an adult, the minimum amount you need to
meet is 1,000 milligrams. Factors like age and consumption of dietary
supplements also affect your specific needs. Vegans are often at risk of this
due to their avoidance of dairy products, which are the common source of
calcium for most people. The good news is that you can also get it from almonds, leafy greens, and beans.
Avoid Eating Too Often. Your
mouth needs a break, too. When you space out meals by two hours or more, you
give your mouth a chance to process everything that you put in it. Your
salivary glands operate double time during meals to wash away the food and make
sure everything goes down your throat. When you eat something hourly like
candies or common snacks, you open yourself to the risk of amassing residual
particles on your teeth that can result in tooth decay.
Opt for Water. It's so
beneficial yet so underrated. If thirsty, drink water. Set aside those
sweetened beverages and go for a bottle of water, which is always the best in
quenching thirst. You might be one of those people who can't stand the taste of
plain water. That's alright, there's a solution for that. Add lemon and carry a
bottle around with you. Whenever you drink soda, juice, or just anything
sweetened, wash it down with your lemon water to get rid of the sugar that's
probably coating your teeth.
Practical Changes
Sticking with a diet that ensures good oral health isn't as complex as it sounds. You simply have to start with practical changes and practices before moving on to a completely new diet, if ever. Above all, don't skip your dental appointments. You will always need expert advice to know how good of a job you're doing with your teeth and gums.
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