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Your Diet and Your Teeth

a woman holding a toothbrush with toothpaste

Your mouth is the gateway for which almost everything enters into your body. Your food and beverage choices are what have a huge impact on your health and your life, yet it goes far beyond just your general health. Many people overlook the fact that their diets affect their teeth. They are concerned with the numbers on the scale, cholesterol numbers, and what their doctors tell them about their diets – yet understanding how your diet affects your teeth is a huge component to your overall health. Many diseases actually stem directly from the mouth, and even more are made worse by dietary choices. Diabetes, heart disease, liver failure, miscarriage, and preterm labor are all directly linked to the oral health, therefore, making wise dietary choices is essential for your quality of life.

Tooth decay is the single most chronic childhood disease and it affects millions of adults in the United States each year – yet it is entirely preventable. While brushing the teeth twice a day and flossing daily are essential components to maintaining good oral health, eating a healthy diet is also an essential component. There are millions of bacteria living inside your mouth on any given day. These bacteria are there to help breakdown particles left behind after eating and drinking in order to help keep the mouth clean. However, in their endeavors to clean they mouth, they begin producing acids to assist them. It is these acids that will eventually cause cavities and tooth decay if they are not flossed and brushed away on a regular basis.

The bacteria in the mouth are most attracted to the sugars in foods that you eat. This causes a large number of bacteria to congregate around sugary particles, in turn causing an abundance of acids to be directed at specific places inside the mouth. Once these acids take care of the sugary particles, they continue to breakdown anything that is in their path – which just happens to be your tooth enamel and gum tissue. By limiting the amount of sugar that you consume, you are limiting the amount of acids that are produced inside your mouth and the damage that they will create.

At Green Dental of Alexandria, we want to partner with our patients to achieve optimal oral health, and we understand the direct relationship between your diet and your overall health. We will be happy to help you create a diet plan that is healthy for your teeth and your entire body. Call us today!

Posted on behalf of Dr. Hye Park, Green Dental of Alexandria

Green Dental of Alexandria – Alexandria Dentist
1725 Duke St, Suite GR03
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 549-1725

Patient Reviews

Green Dental of Alexandria - Alexandria Dentist

4.8/ 5.0

Based on 179 reviews

Jennifer B.

I just had my first appointment at Green Dental and I couldn't be happier with their service. I tend to be nervous when going to the dentist, but all of the staff were very welcoming and nice. The exam chair massages your back as you're getting your cleaning and there's a television on the ceiling to distract you from dental work. The cleaning and evaluation was very gentle. Thanks, Green Dental!

Stephen J.

Top shelf dental care. Convenient location via METRO/King Street Station. Patient's dental chair features back massage capability along with TV viewing (CNN). Dr. Hye Park is very smooth. Dental experience beyond compare. I actually enjoy going to the dentist now.

Caryl M.

Once again, even the cleaning was uneventful. Love being able to look outside while I'm in the chair. Dr. Park has the most gentle & tiny hands ! Love this place and the staff.

Top Dentist Washingtonian 2019 - badgeTop Dentist Washingtonian 2023 - badgeBadge Alexandria Dentist Top Patient Rated 2024Advantage ProgIcons Gold Provider 2020American Academy Clear AlignersSMART Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique Certified DentistHye Y. Park, DMD Top Dentists 2019-2020