You’ve probably heard the phrase you are what you eat. This adage is commonly repeated by physicians, diet books, and mothers to their children, but it was originally used in 1923 by Victor Lindlahr. He was a nutritionist, and one of the first people who believed in a direct link between the foods we consume and our health. While his research was a bit spotty, a 1993 study revealed that diet was the 2^nd leading cause of death in the US linked to 300,000 deaths compared to the 400,000 deaths that were tobacco related. Suffice it to say, Lindlahr, your doctor, diet books, and mother may have been right when they said you are what you eat. It will likely come as no surprise that dentists agree. Nutrition significantly impacts oral health. Maybe even more than it does whole body health since the foods and beverages we consume react directly with bacteria in the mouth, and high sugar or carbohydrate diets create an acidic biofilm that causes tooth decay. When it comes to protecting oral and overall health, maintaining a well-balanced diet in addition to thorough at-home hygiene and regular dental checkups is essential.
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