Follow your guide to better oral health





We’ve all heard how a lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise can fight disease, slow the aging process, boost your mood and help keep you at an optimal weight. But did you know that sticking to that New Year’s resolution can also help ward off tooth decay, gum disease and unexpected visits to the dentist?

“The mouth and the rest of the body are so interconnected,” said Scott Navarro, DDS, a national oral health advisor for Delta Dental Plans Association. “What’s good for one is good for the other.”

Researchers have found that people who had good eating habits, engaged in regular exercise and maintained a normal weight were 40 percent less likely to develop periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, than those who maintained none of these behaviors. Gum disease at any stage can lead to serious oral health problems, including painful inflammation and even tooth loss.

When it comes to healthy eating, there are obvious oral health benefits to watching sugar intake. Limiting sweets and sugary beverages and replacing starchy carbohydrates with healthy, whole grains works to “starve” the bacteria in the mouth. This makes it more difficult for bacteria to produce acids that attack tooth enamel and can eventually lead to decay.

The minerals and vitamins found in many healthy foods can also support oral health. The calcium found in dairy products and green leafy vegetables helps strengthen jawbones and teeth. Antioxidants in fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts can protect teeth and gums by strengthening immunity and fighting inflammation.

Scientists are also researching the oral health benefits of specific foods. Fresh cranberries, for example, have been found to interrupt the bonding of oral bacteria before they can form damaging plaque on teeth.

Exercise and maintaining an appropriate weight also play an important role in overall health, including oral health. Exercise increases circulation, strengthens muscles and bones, and boosts immunity. It’s been shown to prevent some diseases and helps manage others.

Diabetes is a disease that can both be prevented and managed with the help of exercise. Diabetes is a disease that, left untreated, can have serious oral health ramifications.

“Clearly, regular exercise, healthy eating and weight control have significant effects on overall and oral health,” said Navarro. “Adding these to a regimen of daily flossing, brushing after meals and regular dental visits will go a long way toward supporting oral health.”

“It’s worth embracing all of these health improvement strategies any time during the year,” Navarro said. “But if you need extra motivation to jump-start your efforts toward living healthier, add these to your resolution list for 2007.”

This story is provided by Delta Dental Plans Association of Oak Brook, Ill., a national network of independent not-for-profit dental service corporations.


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