The U.S. Government has stated that since the turn of the 21st century, Americans are eating more food than their 1950s counterpart to the tune of eating hundreds of more calories daily. While this can be viewed as a positive attribute associated with American abundance, it really should be aligned with the advent of the processed food industry and the risks involved with ignoring the proper Nutritional Plate guidelines.
Within the nation, the food industry is big business to the tune of over $1,638 billion annually (http://www.plunkettresearch.com/food%20beverage%20grocery%20market%20research/industry%20statistics). The sale of fresh fruits and vegetables, only makes up for a fraction of that number iand that is negatively impacting dental health as a whole. Instead, a majority of Americans rely on fast food, processed foods made with sugar and white flour and take-away meals high on flavor and fat and low on nutrition.
While the Government recommends consumers following a diet featuring a Nutritional Plate filled with 50 percent fruits and vegetables, most Americans only get about two servings a day of those important foods. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevent say that imbalance is causing over 400,000 Americans to get ill annually (http://www.thebostonchannel.com/r-slideshow/26774678/detail.html). It is also causing a decline in dental health.
Diets rich in leafy greens help fight oral cancer. Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids help curbs gum inflammation and gum disease. Pears and apples are fiber dense foods that when eaten whole can remove excess dental plaque and reduce the odds of cavity development. Unfortunately, the average American diet is devoid of these types of foods.
There is nothing more relaxing than chilling out on a couch or recliner after a hard day's work, but a completely sedentary lifestyle only contributes to higher levels of obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Research has indicated that 95 percent of the country's population are not getting enough exercise and that will more than double the odds of developing the above conditions that have all been directly associated with declining dental health.
The findings have come courtesy of research conducted by the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine. Their efforts found that the individuals with a normal body mass and who exercise regularly (a total of approximately 5 percent of the entire U.S. population) are less likely to have gum disease (1-800-DENTIST). The study involving more than 12,100 participants and analyzed the same factors used to measure the lower the odds of developing heart disease and diabetes. The study found that regular exercise can reduce the odds of developing gum disease by 40 percent.
Individuals are advised to put down the soda, processed foods and start moving their bodies on a regular basis. By following those simple behaviors, choosing the best vices for dental health and backing those changes with oral hygiene and regular dental visits, dental problems can be minimized or avoided all together. Individuals looking to find a dentist in order to conduct their due diligence in regards to their dental care simply need to call 1-800-DENTIST.