The Effects of that Diet on your Teeth

A Woodbridge dentist or one from anywhere else will reassure their patients that the fluoridation in city water supplies is very effective in reducing the incidence of tooth decay. But what if there is no fluoride in your community's water supply. Are there foods that can supply fluoride?

Generally speaking there are small amounts of fluoride in foods but not much. Only a few foods can add enough fluoride to the diet to make a difference in the prevention of tooth decay. Can you guess what they are?

The highest level of dietary fluoride is found in tea! Recent discoveries have also indicated that all varieties of tea contain cancer fighting substances called anti-oxidants. Ice tea seems a better summer beverage than ever. A humble cup of tea may be just what the doctor and the dentist ordered. Two cautions though. Tea does stain so plan on tooth whitening in some form if you are a regular tea drinker.

Also sweetened tea can cause nearly the same damage as other sugary treats. That is to say nearly of course but not the same. A can of soda is a great deal sweeter and more damaging. Also the potentially harmful dietary effect of caffeine is worse from coffee so that's another point in favor of tea.

There's probably no one who doesn't realize the benefits of eating fish a few times a week. Most people are well versed in the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in healthy hearts and brains. Additionally, of course, are the benefits of low levels of saturated fats. Less saturated fat in the diet means a reduced risk of cardio-vascular disease. But did you realize that fish canned with the bones left in, like sardines, also contain fairly high levels of fluoride? It's true.

So it would seam that those who have well water with low levels of fluoride should consider a lunch of sardines and a nice cup of tea now and again!

Another dietary factor which may be of interest to those worried about fluoride intake is that higher consumption of table salt may decrease the body's ability to retain fluoride. Reduced salt in the diet is probably better for blood pressure too.

A Woodbridge dentist may prescribe the use of fluoride supplements for children aged 16 and younger who live in areas with lower fluoride levels.

Other dietary considerations for healthy teeth and bones are adequate levels of dietary calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D. It is also possible for a person to have a vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) which results in tooth loss. This isn't seen very often in developed nations since even the relatively low levels of vitamin C intake are enough to prevent the disease.

Since vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables people with access to even a few of these are safe from scurvy. It is recommended that a combination of at least five half cup servings of these be eaten daily by adults for optimum health.





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.		The Effects of that Diet on your Teeth A Woodbridge dentist or one from anywhere else will reassure their patients that the fluoridation in city water supplies is very effective in reducing the incidence of tooth decay. But what if there is no fluoride in your community's water supply. Are there foods that can supply fluoride? Generally speaking there are small amounts of fluoride in foods but not much. Only a few foods can add enough fluoride to the diet to make a difference in the prevention of tooth decay. Can you guess what they are? The highest level of dietary fluoride is found in tea! Recent discoveries have also indicated that all varieties of tea contain cancer fighting substances called anti-oxidants. Ice tea seems a better summer beverage than ever. A humble cup of tea may be just what the doctor and the dentist ordered. Two cautions though. Tea does stain so plan on tooth whitening in some form if you are a regular tea drinker. Also sweetened tea can cause nearly the same damage as other sugary treats. That is to say nearly of course but not the same. A can of soda is a great deal sweeter and more damaging. Also the potentially harmful dietary effect of caffeine is worse from coffee so that's another point in favor of tea. There's probably no one who doesn't realize the benefits of eating fish a few times a week. Most people are well versed in the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in healthy hearts and brains. Additionally, of course, are the benefits of low levels of saturated fats. Less saturated fat in the diet means a reduced risk of cardio-vascular disease. But did you realize that fish canned with the bones left in, like sardines, also contain fairly high levels of fluoride? It's true. So it would seam that those who have well water with low levels of fluoride should consider a lunch of sardines and a nice cup of tea now and again! Another dietary factor which may be of interest to those worried about fluoride intake is that higher consumption of table salt may decrease the body's ability to retain fluoride. Reduced salt in the diet is probably better for blood pressure too. A Woodbridge dentist may prescribe the use of fluoride supplements for children aged 16 and younger who live in areas with lower fluoride levels. Other dietary considerations for healthy teeth and bones are adequate levels of dietary calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D. It is also possible for a person to have a vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) which results in tooth loss. This isn't seen very often in developed nations since even the relatively low levels of vitamin C intake are enough to prevent the disease. Since vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables people with access to even a few of these are safe from scurvy. It is recommended that a combination of at least five half cup servings of these be eaten daily by adults for optimum health.
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