Dental health is just one of those things that can be affected by aspects of our lives that we aren't even aware of.  Maybe you grind your teeth while you sleep, but were didn't realize it until you ground a hole through your retainer.  Or maybe your jaw is misaligned, causing you headaches that you didn't know were preventable.  Or maybe as a child you sucked your thumb for too long and now your teeth are crooked because of it.  Your diet is one of those things that can influence your oral health without you even knowing it.  You may be wondering exactly what you're eating that could be so bad (or good) for your dental health.  Just keep reading and you'll soon find out. 

We've all heard the phrase "you are what you eat."  That applies to your oral health and not just your waistline.  If you eat healthily, your teeth will be healthier.  If you eat unhealthily, your teeth will be unhealthy.  It's as simple as that.  Let's start with the unhealthy side of things: what exactly constitutes as unhealthy habits?

    The number one worst thing you could ever do to your teeth is drink soda.  Soda has little, if any, nutritional value and is packed with sugar.  Over time soda can take a toll on teeth, speeding tooth decay and unhappy teeth (not to mention the weight you might gain).  Sweetened fruit drinks, although not as bad as soda, are also included in this category.
    Between-meal snacks are a serious threat to healthy teeth.  First of all, most people do not choose something healthy (like a fruit or vegetable) for a between-meal snack; they choose junk food like cookies, chips or candy.  Second of all, most people do not brush their teeth after every snack, leaving their teeth coated with sugar and bacteria.  When bacteria (or plaque) comes into contact with the sugar in your mouth, acid is produced, which attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more.  This can eventually lead to tooth decay. 
    The body was designed to work its best when it receives a balanced diet.  Fad diets or extreme diets that completely eliminate one or more food groups are not only bad for your general health, but they are also bad for your oral health.  Sure, you may loose some weight for a short period of time, but then what?  If you're trying to loose weight, consider less extreme forms of dieting, accompanied by exercising.  This will make your body AND your teeth much happier.

We've covered the dieting habits that will cause unhealthy dental health.  Now what about the healthy habits?

    Drink lots and lots of water.  This will decrease your appetite and make your body function better overall.  
    Limit the number of snacks you eat.  As mentioned above, try to choose snacks that are low in sugar.  Not only will this improve your oral health, but it will also prevent you from gaining weight.  Good examples of such a snack are cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, or a piece of fruit.
    Eat a balanced diet.  Whether you are on a "diet" to loose weight or simply trying to be healthy, you should choose a variety of foods from each of the five major food groups.  Doing this will ensure that you're getting the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed by your body and your teeth and gums. 

By reading this article you should now know what kind of diet you need in order to maintain proper dental health.  Remember to use moderation in all things (you don't need to completely eliminate sugar from your diet or start brushing your teeth 8 times a day).  But you should be aware that the things you eat and the habits surrounding them will indeed affect your oral health.