Worst Foods For Oral Health

Your diet has a significant impact on your overall health. Poor diet habits can lead to a number of problems, including tooth decay and gum disease. If you are concerned about your oral health, take a look at your diet. There are certain foods that can impact your oral health. Read on to learn about the worst foods for your oral health. Sugary foods and drinks When sugar combines with oral bacteria, it creates an acid that eats through tooth enamel. The more frequently you consume sugary food and drinks, the more harmful acids you will expose your teeth to. Soda and juice are especially damaging because of their high acidity levels. If you want to protect your smile from decay and other oral health issues, limit your consumption of sugary food and drink. Hard candies and lollipops Avoid eating hard candy or sucking on lollipops. This is one of the worst things you can eat for your oral health, as it can damage enamel and make teeth more vulnerable to decay. While all candy is not good for your teeth, hard candies are the worst! Hard candies also tend to stick in the crevices of teeth and stay there for a long time and causing more tooth decay. Sucking on lollipops also creates a sugar bath in your mouth that feeds the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Be sure to brush and floss after indulging in these foods. Soft drinks Sugary beverages like soda and energy drinks can be harmful to your teeth. In fact, they’re more harmful than sports drinks because, with some of them, the acid in the drink actually eats away at your enamel. Plus, the sugar in these drinks causes cavities quickly. The same goes for energy drinks, which are full of sugar. This makes you more susceptible to staining and yellowing over time. Coffee and tea Coffee and tea are both highly acidic drinks that can cause wear or erosion of tooth enamel from your saliva. It is best to limit your consumption of these beverages to a maximum of two cups a day and rinse your mouth afterward. A more healthy alternative to coffee and tea is to drink unsweetened herbal tea or plain water. Limit the amount of sugar you add to your hot tea as well.  Sports drinks Sports drinks contain a large amount of added sugar which can lead to tooth decay. Also, the sugars in the sports drink will fall into the crevices between your teeth and gums and can lead to decay over time if they are not properly cleaned away by brushing and flossing your teeth. If you are an athlete who needs a boost of electrolytes during an event, try coconut water which has anti-inflammatory properties that are great for your body as well as your teeth. Wine Red wine can stain your teeth because the pigments in red wine are strong enough to seep through tooth enamel, which is the outermost layer of the tooth. If you drink a lot of red wine over a short period of time, the stains may appear almost black in color. Fortunately, you can prevent staining by rinsing your mouth with water after drinking white wine or red or swishing with mouthwash if you’ve already finished your glass. You can also brush, floss, and rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash after drinking wine to help remove any left-over food particles that could cause bacteria buildup in your mouth. Drinking water while you drink also helps to rinse any lingering sugars from your teeth. To learn more, contact Sina Malekuti DDS, PC, at 6120 Brandon Ave Suite 303, Springfield, VA 22150, or call (703) 451-3211.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW BLOG!

Here at Sina Malekuti, DDS, PC, we endeavor to use our new blog as a regular means for publishing valuable content for our community through monthly blog posts. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, we’re able to further explore some of the most important topics pertaining to our industry and area of expertise here on our website through these articles. Each profession tends to be its own little niche, which is a good thing because it creates a unique space for our services and a place for you to learn and implement helpful ideas that can benefit you and the people you care about. We’re excited to share this ongoing knowledge base of blog articles with this online community. These blogs provide timely and relevant information that’s conveniently accessible online. Indeed, we hope that this community will use the valuable information found in our regular blog posts, because they are an effective way for us to reach out to you on a monthly basis, while you still enjoy the comforts of your own home. If you have any questions or want more information, we invite you to call our team at Sina Malekuti, DDS, PC in Springfield, Virginia, today at 703-451-3211. We look forward to helping you in any way we can, and we thank you for the opportunity!

List of Essential Vitamins for Teeth and Gums

A balanced diet is essential for healthy teeth and gums. However, certain vitamins are beneficial for maintaining good oral health. Listed below are the seven essential vitamins for teeth and gums. VITAMIN A Many vitamin A supplements are made from retinoids. Retinoids are also known as tretinoin, retinol, or retinyl palmitate. These compounds strengthen tooth enamel, making them less likely to decay. They also help prevent gum disease and promote tissue healing when used consistently over time. While topical dosages are available, it is best to get these vitamins from a well-balanced diet. Good sources of vitamin A include sweet potatoes, carrots, nuts, and melons. VITAMIN B6 Vitamin B6 is required for many bodily functions, such as red blood cell production, serotonin creation, and the metabolism of amino acids. A deficiency of this vitamin will cause anemia. It also plays a critical role in immune functioning. This vitamin is essential in the production and regeneration of gum tissue, which helps protect your teeth from bacteria and infections. B vitamins are also necessary for the production of collagen, which makes up the connective tissue around teeth.  VITAMIN B12 Vitamin B-12 is most well-known for its role in helping the body to create healthy red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. But it is also required for a healthy mouth and gums. B-12 deficiency can cause a number of oral problems, including mouth sores, periodontal disease, and even poor digestion. B-12 is found naturally in meat, eggs, and dairy products. It can also be taken in supplement form. It is recommended that adults get at least 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B-12 every day. VITAMIN C One of the most common vitamins in the nutrition world, vitamin C, can be found in many foods, such as citrus fruits and strawberries. However, it is also very beneficial for the teeth as well! It is found naturally in saliva and provides a barrier against oral bacteria and plaque accumulation. It also encourages the body to produce collagen, which is a key structural component of gum tissues. Furthermore, it has been shown to reduce gingivitis symptoms by diminishing inflammation and encouraging tissue repair and healing. Vitamin C may also reduce the symptoms of tooth sensitivity. Though beneficial, it’s important not to take high doses of vitamin C supplements if you are undergoing dental treatment or have any cavities. In large doses, it can cause upset stomachs or diarrhea. Overall, adding vitamin C to your diet will help ensure healthy teeth and gums for years to come. VITAMIN D This vitamin can be found in a variety of foods, including dairy products like cheese, yogurt, milk, and eggs. It can also be found in other foods such as fish, oysters, beef liver, and some mushrooms. If you aren’t getting enough vitamin D in your diet, however, supplements may be able to help you. Talk to your dentist about taking one! That’s because vitamin D is essential for strong bones and teeth. It also plays an essential role in building a healthy immune system and promoting optimal oral health. It’s possible that you get plenty of it through your diet, but it’s still important to talk with your dentist to make sure that you’re meeting your needs. This vitamin can also be found in multivitamins and calcium supplements that your dentist may recommend to keep your teeth and bones healthy. In fact, this vitamin has been shown to improve the health of your gums when taken alongside probiotics. It’s also been shown to reduce gum inflammation, which is a major cause of gum disease. Vitamin D may also protect against gingivitis and the buildup of plaque on your teeth. Taking this vitamin regularly can help reduce your chances of developing tooth decay or cavities as well. VITAMIN E Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect against damage from free radicals. It helps support the immune system and the body’s response to inflammation. It also protects the lipids in the cell membrane from damage and helps to prevent plaque buildup on the teeth. The body cannot make vitamin E on its own, so it must be obtained either through diet or supplementation. It is typically found in nuts, seeds, wheat germ oil, spinach, asparagus, avocados, sweet potatoes, kiwi, mango, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seed oil, olives, and vegetable oils. However, it can be difficult to get enough through food sources alone, which is why it is recommended to take dietary supplements. It can also be applied topically to moisturize the skin and prevent wrinkles. To learn more, contact Sina Malekuti DDS, PC, at 6120 Brandon Ave Suite 303, Springfield, VA 22150, or call (703) 451-3211.

Ways Stress Affect Your Oral Health

Stress can have many negative effects on your body. Your oral health is no exception. The connection between stress and your oral health is clear. Stress can weaken your immune system, leaving you more at risk for infection. Stress can affect you in following ways: CLENCHING/ GRINDING TEETH When you clench your teeth, you cause a chain reaction of problems for your oral and overall health. This habit puts stress on your entire jaw and neck area. The pressure caused by clenching can lead to tooth chipping or cracking. You can also experience headaches and migraines as added side effects of this habit. It is important to visit your dentist to determine the best course of action if you grind your teeth at night. In some cases, you may need to wear a protective mouth guard while you sleep to prevent damage to your teeth. SLEEP DEPRIVATION If you are like most people, you probably aren’t getting enough sleep. Sleep is essential for your health, including your oral health. When you wake up, your mouth is still at night. This can allow bacteria to fester and cause cavities. In addition to giving you energy, sleeping also gives you time to heal, which can prevent infection. Some studies even show that sleep disorders increase your risk of gum disease. This is because your immune system is compromised and can’t fight infections as well as it normally would. When your body is under stress, you are likely to clench your jaw or grind your teeth at night. This can weaken your tooth enamel and lead to chips and cracks. Over time, this will only increase tooth decay risks. When you are stressed, you are at a higher risk for oral injuries such as cuts and lip sores. These can become infected easily, leading to more stress on your body and more stress brushing around those sore areas. DIET AND NUTRITION When we experience stress, we tend to reach for unhealthy options to help us cope — like sugary snacks or comfort foods. Unfortunately, this can lead to oral health issues like cavities and gum disease. Eating well can help you combat the effects of stress and eat healthier in general. Aim for a balanced diet that includes lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and veggies, low-fat dairy items, and water. Avoid foods high in sugar like soda, candy, cookies, and similar treats. You should also avoid alcohol as it can exacerbate existing issues in your mouth. Consider adding vitamins to your diet as well to boost your overall health. Some great options for boosting your vitamin intake include fish, eggs, milk, cheese, citrus fruits, and dark leafy greens like spinach. You can also talk to your dentist about other Vitamins you might want help with.  SMOKING Some people tend to smoke more when they are stressed. Tobacco use causes many oral problems that can lead to tooth loss. Tooth loss is one of the most common consequences of tobacco use due to gum disease, staining, and infections. Smokers are more likely to have red or swollen gums that bleed easily when brushing and flossing. Cigarette smoke also irritates the gum tissues and can make them recede. When tobacco users continue to expose their smile to additional plaque accumulation and bacteria, tooth decay is also common. A large percentage of smokers over the age of 35 also have periodontal bone loss. This loss of bone structure can lead to teeth becoming loose and eventually falling out.  To learn more, contact Sina Malekuti DDS, PC, at 6120 Brandon Ave Suite 303, Springfield, VA 22150, or call (703) 451-3211.