Dental Health Diet

Diet for Tooth-Decay

Diet plays a vital role in dental health.



The condition of the teeth, after they are formed, depends upon the foods one eats from day to day. Tooth decay, the destruction of the bone around the teeth, and infections of the gums can be prevented with an appropriate diet. In fact, with the proper diet, the teeth and jawbones can be made harder and healthier as the years go by.

All sweets and refined foods and all products made with white flour and white sugar should be avoided as fibreless refined foods allow particles to accumulate on the teeth. It is important to ensure that the diet includes plenty of raw vegetables and whole meal bread. Whole foods are ideal. They are good for the teeth. The gums need friction to keep them firm and whole foods also help remove plaque. Some dentists therefore call them ‘detergent foods’. Millet and sesame (til) seeds are especially beneficial.



Sesame seeds are extremely rich in calcium.

The use of onion is considered beneficial in the prevention of tooth, decay. Latest researches by Russian doctors have confirmed the bactericidal properties of onion. The Russian doctor, B.P. Tohkin, who has contributed to this research, has expressed the opinion that chewing raw onions for three minutes is sufficient to kill and the germs in the mouth. Toothache is often allayed. By placing a small piece of onion on to bad tooth or gum.

Prevention of Tooth-Decay:

Tooth-decay can be prevented by regular consumption of apples, as they possess a mouth cleansing property. Dr. T.T. Hanks in his books 'Dental Survey' says, 'Apples have a mouth-cleansing property that no other fruit possesses, and taken after meal, they have the same effect as a toothbrush in cleansing the teeth with the added advantage that the acid content, aside from its nutritive value, is of assistance in promoting the flow of saliva in the mouth, which is also beneficial to the teeth'.



The acids of the apple also exert an antiseptic influence upon the germs present in the mouth and teeth when it is thoroughly chewed. Apples are thus regarded as natural preservers of teeth and should be taken during tooth troubles.

Lemon and lime also promote healthy teeth and gums, due to their high vitamin C content. They strengthen the gums and teeth and are very effective in preventing and curing acute inflammations of the gum margins. They should therefore form a part of our daily diet.

In preventing tooth-decay, what one eats is no doubt important, but equally important is when one eats. Frequent small snacks are very harmful to teeth, as they produce an acid medium in which the bacteria thrive. The number of times one eats sugar is one of the most important factors in determining the rate of decay. For this reason, it is better to eat sweets at the end of a meal rather than between meals.

Tooth-decay can be treated by removing decayed regions of the tooth and filling the cavities. If the cavities have reached to pulp, it may become necessary to extract the affected tooth.

Proper cleaning is the most important step towards healthy and sparkling teeth. Ideally, teeth should be cleaned after every meal, but one thorough cleansing each day will be far better than any number of hurried brushings. A quick brushing is a waste of time. The teeth may appear clean, but they will still be coated with a layer of plaque, a sticky, transparent substance. It is invisible, but it can be felt as a fuzzy coating on teeth. It is this substance, which leads to decay.

There are many theories on how best to clean the teeth. The consensus of dental opinion, however, seems to back using a circular motion with the brush. This will facilitate clean up of all dental surfaces. One should not be afraid to touch the gums with the brush, as this gentle stimulation improves the blood circulation in the gums.

Toothpaste is not in fact essential for the removal of plaque, although most people use it. It does help to keep the mouth fresh. The fluoride, which is now being added to an increasing number of pastes, also helps to strengthen the outer enamel and this renders it less susceptible to decay.

TREATMENT CHART FOR TOOTH DECAY

A – DIET

Take a well-balanced optimum diet, with emphasis on whole grains and raw vegetables, on the following lines:-

1. Upon arising: A glass of lukewarm water with half a freshly squeezed lime and a teaspoon of honey.

2. Breakfast: Fresh fruit, a glass of milk, sweetened with honey and some seeds or nuts.

3. Lunch: Freshly-prepared steamed or lightly cooked vegetables, whole wheat wheat tortilla and a glass of butter milk.

4. Mid-afternoon: A glass of fresh fruit or vegetable juice.

5. Dinner: A bowl of raw vegetable salad and sprouts, such as alfalfa and green gram beans, with limejuice and vegetable oil dressing, followed by a hot-course, if desired.

AVOID: Sweets, refined foods, all products made from white flour and sugar, tea, coffee, flesh foods, condiments, pickles and frequent snacks.

Especially Beneficial: Whole foods, especially millet and sesame seeds, raw onion, apple, lemon and lime.

B - OTHER MEASURES

1. Proper cleaning of teeth, using circular motion of brush.

2. Removal of decayed regions of the tooth and filling the cavities.