Dietary alkalinity and oral health

Acids and bases may sound like something very distant in your memory, like a science class in high school, but the concept is still very applicable to all aspects of life today. Eating habits have a profound impact on oral health and overall health, whether for the better or for the worse. Eating the right foods can help you maintain and protect your health. However, it is much easier said than done. How an alkaline diet can benefit your oral health and your overall health is explained by Katy’s dentists below.

What is an alkaline diet?

Everything around us is made of chemicals that have some level of acid or basic (alkaline). Chemicals are listed on the pH scale of 0 to 6 as acidic, 7 as neutral, and 8-14 as alkaline, and more people are talking these days about the negative effects of high acid diets. A minimally acidic or alkaline diet will mainly contain foods with a pH greater than 7.

Some chronic diseases (such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease) and even cancer have been linked to a highly acidic diet, according to recent research findings. An acidic environment may be a tract for bacteria, disease, and decay, and is that the main culprit for chronic inflammation.

Chronic inflammation is one of the main contributing factors to many different health problems.

Eating an alkaline diet can counteract these effects. Actually, your body has excellent natural processes for balancing its internal pH, but you’ll relieve stress on these systems by eating less acidic and more alkaline foods. An alkaline diet aims to support your internal organ systems and your body’s overall function.

Dental health benefits of an alkaline diet

Too much acid in the body can bleed calcium, which is bad for the bones. The same goes for your teeth since they are made up of bones. Eating an ALKALINE DIET FOR WEIGHT LOSS and reducing acid intake can help protect teeth and oral health.

Of course, acidic foods are often a drag for your teeth even before you fully digest them. Too much acid wears down enamel (the hard, white outer layer of each tooth). This is bad for tooth sensitivity, cavities, and therefore the anticipation of every tooth.

Some studies found that the acid in dark soda (phosphoric acid) is particularly bad for teeth. Unfortunately, the standard American diet is rich in acidic and processed foods like sugar and dairy, so it takes a bit of effort to cut back. But do not worry; Eating more alkaline foods is easier than you might think, and it’s actually quite enjoyable!

Alkaline diet foods

Alkaline foods are usually raw and unprocessed. Think of fresh leafy greens, salads, fruits, greens, nuts, and seeds. The more colorful your diet, the better it will be.

The foods with the highest alkaline content include:

Fresh vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, celery, cucumber, endive, garlic, herbs, kale, parsley, sprouts, spinach

Fresh fruits: avocado, coconut, grapefruit, lemon, lime, pomegranate, rhubarb, tomato.

Beans, lentils, quinoa

Oils and fats: flax, hemp, avocado, olive, evening primrose, borage

Nuts and seeds: almonds, buckwheat grains, caraway seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, hemp seeds, sesame seeds

Hummus, tahini

Acidic foods to avoid include:

• Grain
• Sugar
• Dairy products
• Fish
• meats
• Processed foods
• Saturated fat
• Vegetable oil

While citrus fruits are highly acidic in their wild and may damage enamel , many of them become alkaline once digested and may provide variety of health benefits. You should consume citrus fruits with caution and rinse your mouth with water afterward to prevent tooth damage.

The first few times you try a new food, it may take some time to figure out how you like it prepared. Look for recipes and spices (other than salt) to enhance your alkaline diet instead of getting discouraged.