Good eating habits lead to healthy smiles

Published Dec. 14, 2007
By Maj. Aida M. Solivan
72nd Dental Clinic

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- During the upcoming Christmas holidays chances are you will be attending more than one party; surely your normal, routine eating patterns will be quite different because of all the special delicacies and enhanced opportunities to "succumb to the temptations" that come along with the festivities.
   The 72nd Dental Clinic would like to share with you a few good tips to help you maintain outstanding oral health while enjoying this season's yummy treats. Dentists have long recognized the link between good oral health and sound nutrition.
   For years, the American Dental Association has recommended that children and adults limit eating and drinking between meals and, when they must snack, give preference to nutritious foods identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's dietary guidelines. Now more than ever, we are faced with a bewildering array of food choices, from fresh produce to sugar-laden processed convenience meals and snack foods. The foods we choose as fuel generally affect our overall health, including our teeth and gums.
   USDA's Dietary guidelines encourage consumers to limit intake of beverages and foods high in added sugars that may crowd out other healthy foods from their daily diet. The agency identifies soft drinks as a major source of added sugar. Not sure you're getting the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed by your body (and you teeth and gums)? Check out the USDA Web site, www.usda.gov/cnpp for detailed information on the Food Guide Pyramid; these dietary recommendations are designed to promote optimal oral and overall health and to prevent obesity-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancers.
   There are things you can do to maintain and/or improve your oral health:
   · Maintain a healthy diet.
   · Make sure you drink plenty of water; in addition to helping your teeth and gums be healthier, you will also keep your body properly hydrated.
   · Limit snacks and eat nutritious, well-balanced meals made up of foods from the five major groups of foods:
   -- breads, cereals or other grains;
   -- fruits;
   -- vegetables;
   -- meat, fish, poultry or protein alternates; -- milk, yogurt or cheese
   · Chew gum containing Xylitol, a sugar substitute that helps reduce oral plaque levels and prevents the growth and spread of caries-producing bacteria. · Brush thoroughly twice a day with fluoride toothpaste; choose products that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
   · Floss or use an interdental cleaner once a day to help remove plaque. · Have regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings, ideally every six months.
   Go ahead, indulge your cravings with homemade pumpkin pie, savory chocolate-pecan oatmeal cookies, delicious roast turkey with all the trimmings... But remember, everything is good in moderation!
   For more information, call the 72nd Dental Clinic at 736-2000, or visit the American Dental Association website at www.ada.org, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture website at www.usda.gov/cnpp.