Are You Eating Your Way to Tooth Loss?

Have you lost one or more teeth? Then it may be helpful to have a discussion with an implant dentist about the types of food you eat. 

Recent studies suggest that the "inflammatory potential" of your diet can impact your oral health. Specifically, researchers found that an anti-inflammatory diet may lead to fewer lost teeth. The data in this research came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

In contrast, a pro-inflammatory diet may promote inflammatory diseases that include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and periodontitis. Periodontitis, also commonly called gum disease, has symptoms that include redness or bleeding of gums while brushing. Periodontitis can lead to the loosening and subsequent loss of teeth if left untreated.

According to researchers, a good example of an anti-inflammatory diet includes relatively high consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, fibers, and green or black tea. By comparison, a typical pro-inflammatory diet may be high in carbohydrates, trans fat, or an overall high calorie amount. 

For good oral health, avoiding sticky, sugary foods that can lead to cavities is a good start. But don't stop there. Try to create a healthy diet that doesn't promote inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis. Doing so can help you keep more of your teeth and your general health. If you have lost one or more teeth, this is an important conversation to have with an AAID credentialed dental implant expert.