Your teeth aren’t just for looks. It’s true a beautiful white smile goes a long way, but there are practical reasons to take care of your teeth as well. Your teeth play a major role in your digestion. Unlike sharks, humans cannot swallow their food whole. They need to chew it into tiny pieces to swallow it and therefore need healthy teeth. The process of digestion begins in your mouth. In today’s blog we discuss your oral health and digestion.
Your Oral Cavity
The first step in digestion begins in your mouth. Your teeth are strong and sharp and each has a role in chewing. Your canines grasp, rip, and tear. Your premolars (front molars) crush food with their flat chewing surface. The cusps (sharp points) on your back molars crush and grind. As you chew saliva is generated. Your saliva aids digestion as well by moistening your food, making it easier to chew and swallow. Saliva also contains enzymes that break your food down while you’re chewing making it easier to digest once it hits your stomach.
Teeth aren’t just about beauty, they are about practicality as well. Taking care of your teeth is crucial for your overall health and well-being. Without strong, healthy teeth you cannot chew tough, hard, or crunchy foods. Crisp fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals beneficial to your health. Meat is an important source of protein. Nuts are good for you too. If you are suffering from tooth decay you will avoid these and other healthy foods. Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew at all. Your teeth are important to your health in more ways than one, so it is crucial that you take care of them.
About your Des Moines Dentist
The Gateway Dental Group provides comprehensive dental treatments including general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. As a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Burds also has extensive experience helping his patients suffering from sleep disorders obtain restful sleep via oral appliance therapy. You can contact Dr. Stephen J. Burds office at 515-442-5659. We welcome patients from River Bend, Kirkwood Glen, East Village, and neighboring communities.