Aid Oral Health by Eating Plenty of Whole Grains
September 1, 2018
Part of maintaining good oral health involves having the right diet. Any good dietary plan should consist of ample whole grains, which have been proven to lower the risk of periodontal disease. Research suggests there are ample benefits to whole grains, so although you should continue to brush and floss every day, you also need to eat a good amount of whole grains. This can include consuming more popcorn, dark breads and brown rice.
The Study
Over a 14-year period, a study was conducted that viewed the dietary habits of 34,000 men. Out of that group, 1,897 were eventually diagnosed with periodontitis. Men who only consumed one serving of whole grains faced an increased likelihood of developing the disease while men who consumed a minimum of three servings of whole grains a day were actually 23 percent less likely to develop periodontal disease.
Gum Disease Prevention
The Belief
Scientists believe the reason for this comes down to the fact that proper whole grain consumption improves an individual’s glucose metabolism. This leads to a lower level of blood glucose. Lower glucose levels decrease the risk of periodontitis in both diabetics and non-diabetics. No matter what, it is clear that consuming three or four whole grain servings daily can drastically reduce the risk of oral health problems.
Your Diet
There are many simple changes you can make to get enough whole grains. For example, instead of eating sandwiches with white bread, you should substitute it for whole-wheat bread. You should also ask for brown rice when possible in lieu of white rice. When you make cookies or other treats, you should use whole-grain flour in the recipe.
Your Periodontist
While you should maintain a healthy diet, you also want to schedule regular appointments at the office of Dr. Samuel J. DeAngelo. Our periodontist in Cary, NC will make sure your teeth and gums remain healthy and suggest changes to your diet if necessary.