You may not realize just how many things in your life can affect your teeth, but you've heard that food is an important factor. And it makes sense; after all, your food comes into close contact with your teeth multiple times a day.

However, your dentist probably hasn't explained to you the full number of ways your food can affect your teeth. After all, that could take years of medical school.

Here are just a few ways that your food can affect your dental health.

1. Affecting Parotid Hormone Production

You have heard that sugar erodes your teeth. It does this by feeding pathogenic bacteria that then create acids strong enough to leach minerals out of your enamel. However, you may not have heard that sugar can affect the production of parotid hormone. With too much sugar in the diet, the parotid gland could reduce or eliminate one of its functions.

Your teeth have dentinal tubules, tiny straw-like openings in the dentin layer of your teeth (that's the layer beneath your enamel). These tubes are intended to allow nutrients to travel from the pulp to the outer layers of your teeth.

However, the parotid hormone controls the flow of the fluid that flows through your dentinal tubules (called dentinal fluid). With a slowed or stopped flow, these tubules can't carry nutrients to the outer layers of teeth. And worse, this sluggish flow could allow pathogenic bacteria inside the tubes.

2. Remineralizing Enamel

Because a high-sugar diet could damage your teeth, you may start to get the mindset that you need to restrict your diet in order to keep your teeth healthy. This can become a toxic mindset. Instead, try focusing on all the great foods that can help your teeth. One way foods can help your teeth is through remineralizing.

Your saliva naturally starts to remineralize your teeth after you eat. It reduces acidity and carries dissolved minerals to top up enamel with any minerals it may need. Eating foods with plenty of calcium (such as cheese) can help. And eating foods with plenty of nutrition and a variety of minerals in them can help your body keep up the levels of minerals in your saliva.

So, if you love any nutritious foods, such as cheese, fish, or almonds, consider simply replacing some less nutritious foods with these. Although, be sure to discuss any dietary changes with your doctor first.

Increasing the ratio of nutritious foods to sugary foods can help your teeth; you don't have to necessarily avoid sugar altogether.

3. Affecting Estrogen Levels

Did you know that foods can even affect your estrogen? This may sound like it only applies to women, but when you think about it, men don't want high estrogen levels either, since it can lead to health problems. If you consume a lot of foods with high estrogen this may affect your hormones.

The reason this is important for your teeth is because hormones such as estrogen don't just cause mood swings. An imbalance in estrogen levels could actually cause gum irritation and, eventually, contribute to gum disease.

These are just three ways your food could be affecting your teeth right now. You don't necessarily have to leap into action and change your diet; if you already follow an overall healthy diet, it's likely great for your teeth as well. However, in some cases, moderating your sugar levels or switching to organic produce could help.

Talk to your doctor and your dentist about the right dietary choices for you. To schedule a dental appointment, get in touch with us at University Dental PA today.