A healthy and attractive smile is a valuable asset to many areas of your life, and the process of getting and keeping that beautiful smile involves eating a nutritious diet.

This includes foods that are naturally high in fiber, as studies have shown that a high-fiber diet can considerably reduce the risk of tooth loss. Research has further explored this relationship to highlight the importance of fiber for dental health.

Research Regarding Oral Health and Fiber

To get a better understanding of how oral health and fiber are connected, researchers followed the health of 600 male veterans for approximately 25 years.

It was found that older men who ate a diet that was high in fiber (including whole grains, peanuts, sweet potatoes, fruits, and leafy greens) had a 30% lower risk of tooth loss. They also had a 24% lower risk of experiencing bone loss associated with gum recession.

Other findings showed that men age 65 or older who reported eating a fiber-rich diet also benefited from lower gum recession odds by 5%. They saw bone recession risk decreases of 14%, and the risk of tooth loss was reduced by 12%.

Protect Your Oral Health by Getting More Fiber

The best way to get more fiber in your diet is to choose fiber dense foods, despite the wide variety of powders and supplements that might be on the market. If you need to get more fiber in your diet, switch out your glass of juice in favor of the whole piece of food. 

Choose high-fiber cereal with fruit for breakfast, and when you make a sandwich for lunch, put it on whole grain bread. Also add a hearty salad to your dinner in order to get more fiber and a healthy dose of essential vitamins and minerals. Remember that with a few simple dietary changes, you can improve your dental and overall health.