Dental health is an important part of your wellbeing

Dental health is important for your wellbeing because teeth are not just something to chomp on when you are hungry. When you don’t take care of your dental healh bacteria forms in the mouth and goes down to your stomach. Your breath will develop a smell which compounds a hostile environment for not only your teeth but your whole body.

Teeth are an important part of your health and we need to brush twice daily (better after every meal if you can), floss and get dental check-ups regularly. Every six months is great timing for a check-up. When we eat and drink we often don’t think about the effect foods and drink could be having on our dental health. It is important to realise the role your teeth play in your health because we only have one set and if we don’t look after them, especially as we age, we could be in trouble.

Nutrition and oral health

Looking after your dental health involves good nutrition meaning a balanced diet. Some diets may cause more problems with your teeth that others. If you are vegan you may find you have problems with your teeth in terms of nutrient deficiencies. It is important to include in a vegan diet enough vitamin D, B12, calcium, and phosphorus to avoid dental health issues. Some studies have shown that vegans and vegetarians that do not do this tend to have problems with their dental health and a higher risk of dental erosion. Many vegans tend to replace meat, eggs, and dairy with foods that are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates. These foods cause cavities and other tooth problems. However, it is possible for you to keep your teeth healthy if you are eating a vegan diet, it just may be a little more effort.

Strong teeth and importance of chewing

Once you learn how important dental health is for the health of your whole body you will be more likely to spend the extra time making the changes to keep your teeth healthy and strong. Unfortunately, not all of us brush, floss and look after our dental health as well as we should.

Without your teeth it would be very difficult to eat your food. Chewing your food is more important than you might have thought. Chewing your food properly helps your body digest the food more easily. This helps with your digestive process as well as supporting your gut health. The more you chew your teeth and mouth enzymes start the process of turning food into a ball and your stomach and intestines do less work digesting. This allows more nutrients to be released into your body. Some nutrients, like nitric oxide, are only activated by you chewing which helps protect against cardiovascular disease.

This is a great reason to keep your teeth in good health. Also because if you can’t chew properly there are some foods you won’t want to eat. For example if you have bad molars, you’re more likely to not eat foods that require chewing from your molars. This will then start to affect your nutrient intake. When you have problems chewing everything, you’re more likely to choose softer foods, many of which are more highly processed and nutrient deficient.

Dental health and how it relates to your organs and body systems

Studies of the meridians and the interconnection of our body systems can often throw light on unusual health issues. Did you know that each tooth has a purpose and there are meridians all over your body that connect different parts and systems? For example, your lower two teeth just back from the very last one on the bottom of your mouth relate to your stomach and spleen. They relate to sinus, the mammary glands and connective tissue and when these are affected they can give rise to rheumatism. Also the four teeth at the bottom front relate to the liver kidney, bladder and gallbladder. They interplay with your eye, hip knees (the outside teeth of these four) and can have an effect on your concentration.

Every tooth in our head relates to a meridian or body system and when your teeth are not looked after they add to the sum total of negative things that can impact your health.

Foods for dental health

There are many foods that actually help take good care of your teeth, your gums and your mouth. A great snack is onion dip with cruciferous vegetables. The onions and garlic will provide antimicrobial properties while cruciferous vegetables will bring plenty of disease-fighting sulforaphane.

Blueberries are a delicious fruit on their own as a healthy snack and you can use them in other meals. These make a great, savoury topping or use in a dressing with walnuts and balsamic for a salad.

Antioxidants in green tea reduce the risk of oral cancers and fight off bacteria in your mouth. A cup of green tea in the morning is a great way to start the day.

Support your digestion and dental health with a stew of sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, leafy greens, mushroom and bacon. Just the thing of a cooler night which will provide vitamins, minerals and make a tasty dinner.

Choose recipes with good healthy ingredients that bring your teeth into the chewing process. Adding them to your diet will help you absorb more nutrients and increase your immunity.

So remember, when it comes to your dental health brushing, flossing and dental check-ups are important. So is what you are eating and drinking. This is also important for your overall health. Eating a balanced diet high in vitamins and minerals is the key. For more information on how to avoid toxic foods and why you crave them go to https://www.wellbeing.com.au/body/nutrition/toxic-eating-and-your-cravings-the-fast-food-drug.html