Did you know 80% of all fractures in people 50 years of age or older are caused by osteoporosis? This silent disease causes your bones to become thin and porous, and as a result, your bone strength decreases.
So how does osteoporosis affect your oral health? If you have osteoporosis, your jawbone can become less dense and you may be at risk for tooth loss. The good news is, prevention is possible.
The following are some steps you should take to promote your oral health and maintain your bone health:
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet: your diet should consist of plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dairy products. A healthy diet is essential to your oral health and will provide you with all the nutrients your body needs. (We will discuss supercharged foods for your teeth later on).
- Maintain a healthy weight: having a body mass index under 21 puts you at risk for osteoporosis.
- Have calcium every day: you should have between 1000 to 1200 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day. Your source of calcium should come from your diet and you should only take a supplement if it’s necessary.
- Get some Vitamin D: you should have between 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D per day. A vitamin D supplement is recommended.
- Exercise: weight-bearing and resistance exercises in specific are important for countering osteoporosis.
- Quit smoking: smoking can interfere with your absorption of calcium and increases the rate of bone loss. Additionally, tobacco puts you at risk for gum disease and oral cancer.
- Limit your alcohol consumption: chronic heavy drinking is associated with osteoporosis. It interferes with the balance of calcium in your body. Alcohol also causes dehydration and dry mouth and heightens your chances of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Brush your teeth: you should brush your teeth and gums a minimum of twice per day using a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or as soon as the bristles become frayed.
- Floss your teeth: use dental floss daily to clean between your teeth and remove food particles and plaque.
- Rinse or chew gum after meals: you should rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash after eating to prevent decay and gum problems. You can also chew sugar-free gum after a meal which increases saliva production, cleans your mouth and neutralizes acid.
- Visit your dentist in Brandon regularly: you should schedule professional dental cleanings and examinations every 6 months.
- Wear a mouth-guard: your dentist can provide you with a custom-made mouth guard to protect your teeth from injury caused by sports and recreational activities. Mouth guards can also be worn at night to treat bruxism (teeth grinding) which can cause wear and tear and make you more susceptible to tooth decay.
Healthy Foods for Healthy Teeth
Let’s take a look at 4 different foods that can help to build healthier teeth and gums. Note, the following are only dietary recommendations. You should always ensure you are practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist in Brandon regularly.
Cheese
If you are a cheese lover, you’ll be delighted to hear that cheese is a superfood for your teeth. This is because it combats acid erosion of your teeth.
Fish
As you know, calcium protects your teeth and gums from disease. However, without enough vitamin D in your body, you can’t properly absorb calcium. Eating fatty fish like salmon is an excellent source of vitamin D and will enable your teeth to get the full disease-fighting benefits of calcium.
Oranges
Confused how this citrus fruit would be good for your oral health? The vitamin C in oranges strengthens your blood vessels and connective tissues, thus slowing the progression of gum disease by reducing inflammation.
Dark Chocolate
Now before you get too excited, there are a few conditions… The chocolate must contain at least 70% cacao and be eaten in moderation. With that said, this superfood contains the compound CBH which can harden your tooth enamel and make your teeth less prone to tooth decay.
