Orthodontist Washington DC

Eat to Beat Tooth Decay

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By Nicole Duncan

Wish you could avoid another jaw-dropping bill from the dentist? You can simply by tweaking your diet. Rami Nagel, author of Cure Tooth Decay: Heal and Prevent Cavities With Nutrition (Golden Child Publishing, 2008) recommends the following diet tips to prevent cavities:

Don’t eat processed sugar. Your sweet tooth habit can weaken tooth enamel by altering blood-sugar levels. When your blood-sugar levels fluctuate, demineralization (tooth decay and bone loss) takes place. And lack of minerals in teeth weakens the enamel, causing cavities.

Take cod liver oil. Dentin—an enamel builder that protects your teeth from cavities—can only be strengthened if both vitamin A and D are present. Supplement with 1/2 teaspoon of cod liver oil twice a day, or eat one to two servings of shellfish, oysters, liver, or clams every day to get enough vitamin A and D.

Don’t drink fluoridated water. “There is little evidence supporting fluoride in tap water as a cavity preventer,” says Nagel. “Fluoride hardens your teeth temporarily, but makes them brittle over the long-term, raising your chance of getting a cavity.” Invest in a water filter that will take out fluoride. —ND

Author: Nicole Duncan

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